Once you have kids, it’s natural to start thinking of a family vacation every once in a while. It gives you the time and space to bond more with your kids, relax, and create some amazing memories you can look back on fondly.
But, this begs the question as to what kind of vacations you should plan out. You’ll want them to be appropriate for the kids while still being interesting.
This doesn’t have to be nearly as much of an issue as you could’ve thought. More than a few types of family vacation could be more than worth considering. They’ll all offer their pros and cons, but they could end up being a lot more interesting than you’d think.
Five of these could be more than worth focusing on.
1. City Breaks
City breaks have gotten more and more popular in recent years, with the likes of New York, Rome, and Paris being some of the larger picks. It’s easy to see why these are getting so popular, as there’ll be quite a few to do, even when you have your kids with you. It’s just a matter of picking the right city for you.
No matter which ones you go for, there’ll be a wide range of family-friendly activities and amenities. Everything from museums to parks could be interesting, and there’ll be plenty of restaurants and other essentials to pick from while you’re at it. With a little research, you’ll find the best place for your city break.
The photos below are from our trip to Montreal in August 2024.
2. Safaris
Safaris can often be some of the more interesting vacations to go on, as they have a major sense of adventure. And, they could be a lot more child-friendly than you’d think, especially with the right kinds of safaris. There are more than a few of these you can go for, ranging from a beach safari to the more standard reserve options.
With how many of these there are to pick from, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t find a few you and your family will be interested in. You’ll end up creating more than a few memories while you’re there, so they’ll end up being some of the more unique vacations you go on.
3. Resort Vacations
Resort vacations are some of the more popular options to go for, and it’s easy to see why. You and your family will get to sit back, relax, and not have to worry about anything. You’ll get to focus on actually enjoying yourself, and there’ll be plenty of resorts around the world you can pick from.
Resorts come with a wide range of amenities you’ll get to enjoy, like swimming pools, restaurants, bars, and plenty of kid-focused activities and amenities. There should be plenty to do, no matter what age your kids are or what they’re interested in. It’s practically guaranteed for you and your family to have a memorable time.
While not a typical resort, below is a photo from our family vacation at Villa Turquesa on Ambergris Caye in Belize in April 2023. I’d say the infinity pool sure made it feel like a private resort!
4. Cruises
A cruise can often be seen as a bit of a resort vacation, though it’s a little bit more luxurious. See it as a sea-based resort that takes you to more than a few destinations while you’re on the trip. Many of these will be beautiful locations you and your family will enjoy spending the day in before going back to the ship.
And, there’ll still be nothing to worry about while you’re at sea. There’ll be plenty of amenities, activities, and entertainment to enjoy, though these will vary depending on the cruise you’re on. While this could be one of the more expensive family vacations to go on, the memories will be more than worth it.
5. Road Trips
Road trips can be some of the more interesting and adventurous vacations to go on, even when you have kids. It’s just a matter of planning them out properly. With these, you’ll see quite a bit of the countryside and more than a few sights, helping to make the trip a lot more memorable.
Depending on your kids’ ages, you mightn’t even have to worry too much about keeping them entertained. With regular breaks and the right car activities, they’ll have just as much fun inside the car as they would outside. And, with the right activities and accommodation, you’ll end up having quite a memorable trip.
It’s natural to want to have a family vacation that everyone will love. But, you’ll want to make sure it’s as perfect as possible, which is why you could be practically pulling your hair out over it. With the right types, however, it shouldn’t have to be a problem.
In 2022, Luke and I had an incredible roadtrip with his parents down to the gulf coast of Texas in our RVs. We camped on the beach, toured an aircraft carrier at the USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi, and—of course—visit the one of infamous Buc-ee’s outside of San Antonio.
6. Mountain Cabin Getaways
Living in Colorado and managing Island Acres Resort Motel, it would be irresponsible to not mention mountain cabin getaways as one of our favorite ways to enjoy vacation with family! Summer 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting my parents, older sister, and her new family in the Rippling River Ranch Cabin at Island Acres.
We BBQ’d outside, made s’mores over the fire, visited the nearby ski town of Crested Butte—which also happens to be the wildflower capital of Colorado—walked along the Gunnison River, toured a historic castle, and so much more! Renting a cabin in the mountains for your family vacation is such a meaningful way to enjoy the quiet solitude of nature together and remember what really matters: being able to spend time with each other. I highly recommend!
All this said, no matter where you choose for your next family vacation, I hope you take a moment to feel gratitude for the ability to gather as a family in a beautiful location!
