It’s almost summer again and that means it’s time to start thinking about where to go for the summer holidays. If you are like many of our readers, you probably have children of your own. This makes summer vacation planning a little complicated. Not every holiday destination is great for the kids.
There are definitely a lot of factors at play, but we decided that it would be a great idea to write more about this very interesting and at times complicated topic. Here are some of our best summer vacation ideas that everyone can enjoy.
Hawaii
Hawaii has so much to offer for the kids and adults alike. There is great food, nature, history and beaches. It is without a doubt one of the most popular family holiday destinations on the entire planet.
Beach life is absolutely perfect in Hawaii with white (and sometimes black volcanic) sand, clean turquoise waters and warm weather to match. Hawaii is also the home of surfing, so this a great thing for the family to try at one of the many surf schools.
For a kick of nature visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Here you can see the incredible power of the active volcanoes on the landscape of Hawaii and learn about how they formed the landscape. There are also some stunning views form the crater rim and you can even see lava flowing into the sea at some places in the park!
One of the most important places you can take the kids to visit is Pearl Harbor, which played a significant part in the US involvement in the Second World War. The HSS Arizona is particularly interesting with a memorial placed on the open water directly above the sunken warship. It’s a solemn reminder of those that lost their lives during the invasion of Pearl Harbor.
We all know how hard it can be to get the kids to eat, but in Hawaii you should have no problems getting the kids to eat as the food is delicious. There’s nothing quite like the super fresh produce from Hawaii and combine that with some delicious traditional Hawaiian and Japanese recipes and you have some great food. Try some amazing Poke bowls or anything cooked in an Imu, which is an underground oven!
Yellowstone National Park
There’s nothing quite like being in one of the most unique National Parks in the country with the family.
Yellowstone is home to some of the finest nature in the world. The kids can marvel at the natural wonders like the Old Faithful geyser shooting jets of water high into the air or the brilliantly colored pools that dot the park. The park is just one huge playground with thousands of miles of forests, waterfalls, lakes and mountains.
The local wildlife is also magnificent with buffalo and elk that have made the park their home. In the summer months you can see the elk at Gibbon Meadows and in the Lamar Valley. This is a great opportunity for the kids to get up close and personal with some truly beautiful creatures.
One of the best parts of the park is that although there are several million visitors to the park each year, you aren’t likely to see them unless you are converging on the most popular tourist destinations. This provides a great backdrop for a very relaxed family holiday.
The Grand Canyon
We have all seen the pictures, but they can never compare to the real thing. The Grand Canyon is much more than grand, it is a place that you must show the family.
Here the kids can learn and vacation at the same time. The canyon is extremely unique and the power of the Colorado River eroding and shaping the landscape over six million years is something to truly marvel at.
There’s so much on offer here including hiking, bike riding, rafting and so much more. There are some great activities that the family can enjoy together. There are naturally some harder and more extreme sports for parents to enjoy too if they wish. The variety in such a unique landscape is something that everyone can appreciate.
The best place to visit the Canyon is highly dependent on how you want your holiday to go. If you want amazing views and don’t mind a bit of a crowd in the peak summer months, then the North Rim is the place to be.
For those looking to escape the crowds and want a more intimate and relaxed family holiday can observe the canyon from the South Rim. It’s always great to have such options, as this cannot be said for every destination!
Walt Disney World, Orlando
This is the place to visit if you are looking for the ideal holiday destination for the kids (the big and the small kind). It is aptly known as one of the happiest places on the planet. There are rides and attractions for the thrill seekers or more gentle ones for the little ones.
There are endless things to do in the park and it’s always exciting to see your favorite mascots walking around.
Magic Kingdom is one of our most favorite places to visit. There’s nothing quite walking up Main Street and seeing Cinderella Castle in person. This is the famous Disney Castle from the 1950 film that has become an icon of the Disney brand.
There are six themed lands to explore and enjoy. My favorite is Adventureland, which has a jungle theme that was inspired by the jungles of Africa and Asia. Be sure to take a ride on the Pirates of the Caribbean or the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. The former was the inspiration for the film series that we all love today.
As you can see, there are some great places to head in the summer months. Even with a big family there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Wherever you may be heading this summer, the most important thing is to enjoy the time with your family. Have a great summer!