Every year, families all over the United States pack up the kids and head off on a family vacation. Family vacations can take place far away from home or just down the street. Parents usually get the last say when choosing a family vacation destination but should pick places that appeal to every family member's age and interests to insure a pleasant vacation for everyone. The United States is full of family-friendly and fun places to take the kids, where the parents can have a good time, too.
Known around the world as a family-geared theme park, the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, consists of four theme parks, two water parks, dozens of hotels and resorts and numerous restaurants. Throughout the complex, guests can find plenty of choices of accommodations to fit any budget, from campgrounds to value-priced hotels to deluxe resorts. Kids will love that nearly every part of the complex comes complete with a Disney theme, from the hotels to the restaurants to the parks. In all the parks and in many of the restaurants, kids can meet their favorite Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and all the Disney princesses.
Located in eastern Tennessee, Pigeon Forge offers a little something for kids of all ages. The types of attractions and activities in Pigeon Forge vary widely and include Dollywood Amusement Park, the Titanic Museum, live stage and music shows, miniature golf, go-karting, indoor skydiving and laser tag. Pigeon Forge is located in the Smoky Mountains, so families can also enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, whitewater rafting and rock climbing. Plenty of accommodation and restaurant choices all over Pigeon Forge allow families to create a vacation that fits their budgets.
Traveling outside the country can be stressful and expensive, especially with kids. A cruise vacation can take a lot of the hassle out of traveling. Many of the major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Norwegian cater to families traveling with kids of all ages, from babies to high schoolers, according to the family travel website We Just Got Back, and special promotions sometimes allow kids to travel free or at discounted rates, depending on age. Going on a Caribbean cruise means that families can visit multiple Caribbean islands and cities in one trip without the hassle of multiple hotel rooms. Cruises are also convenient for families because all meals, onboard activities and other amenities are included in the overall price. Onboard the ship, kids' activities range from swimming to dances to video game tournaments. At each port, kids can enjoy a variety of shore excursions like swimming with dolphins, horseback riding and zip line tours.
