Our Favorite Family Vacation Destinations

Fun fact: I used to cover wedding and honeymoon destinations for work way back in the day, which meant traveling the world visiting all the most amazing (and romantic) spots. I’ve been everywhere, from Chile and South Africa to Thailand, nearly every Caribbean island and all over the U.S.. Andrew and I also both enjoyed traveling before kids, and have tried to continue to make an effort to travel with the kids when it makes sense. Of course the pandemic grounded us for awhile, but we’ve still managed to squeeze some really amazing vacation with the kiddos. I’m often asked for my favorite family vacation destinations, and I’m finally getting around to putting together that list.

The key to a successful vacation with kids (imho) is to find a family-friendly destination and a resort/hotel that will make everything as smooth as possible. In fact, I think the resort is actually equally, if not more important, than the destination, which you’ll see reflected in my favorite family vacation destinations. You could literally go to the middle of nowhere and if you’re staying at a place that has some kid-friendly amenities and food options, you’re golden. Actually, good friends of ours recently took their kids to a nearby resort that was only about an hour drive away but was completely geared towards kids and everyone had the best time.

Now that the pandemic seems to be more under control and traveling is something many of us are thinking about again, I thought I’d share my list of my favorite family vacation destinations. Promise to keep updating this list as we go on more trips, but I only included places we’ve actually been and stayed with the kids so that I can actually vouch for them. There are certainly many more on our list that we’d love to visit that we know friends and family have loved, but vacations aren’t cheap, and I only feel comfortable recommending spots to you guys that I know for a fact are amazing.

Antigua

I wanted to add more winter and spring break destinations to this list, but it’s been awhile since I had been to some of my favorite destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico and we haven’t been to as many with the kids. I had forgotten how amazing the beaches and water is in the Caribbean and what an amazing spot it can be for families (as well as couples’ getaways). We went to Antigua for my father-in-law’s 80th birthday with my husband’s whole family and I can’t say enough good things about the island. It’s just under a four-hour flight from JFK so it’s not quite as close as some of the other popular spots to go with kids, like the Bahamas but the extra time on the plane is worth it. We loved that it’s really safe and feels a bit less commercial than some of the other islands. You don’t see all the big high rise hotels and the resorts everywhere and the resorts are a bit more spread out and have more of a boutique feel. I also love that it’s so lush and felt more far away and a bit less developed. They offer everything you want from this type of vacation — snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding, beautiful beaches, warm clear blue water, pools, tennis and golf, zip lining, hikes and adventures etc. I wouldn’t say it’s a culinary destination but the food was all very good (we mostly ate at our resort) and with little kids, we’re usually not indulging in long, elegant meals on our vacations so it’s not top of our list. We stayed at Carlisle Bay and I think it’s a great spot for kids. We had cousins ranging in age from 2 to 16, so we needed a spot that would offer something for everyone and accommodate larger families. They have suites with two and three bedrooms (although not as many with three bedrooms so book early) and so much for kids of all ages to do. Every restaurant has a kids menu and it’s not all the same chicken fingers and fries options although those are available. They also have a restaurant for 13 and older so if you do have older kids or do a date night, there’s a nice spot where you won’t hear screaming kids. They have tons of activities throughout the day that change each day, including daily kids movies in the afternoons when the sun is hottest. The kids camp is great. Some resorts just have glorified babysitters, but this is set up like a real camp. There are lots of toys and activities for kids of all ages, a great playground and baby pool and each day, the activity rotates with a mix of outdoor and indoor activities. They also have babysitting available but you have to book ahead. We will definitely be coming back to Antigua and I highly recommend for a winter or spring break trip, but it was much quieter in summer and honestly, pretty nice. It is hot and humid but not oppressively so thanks to the ocean and the water is so warm.

Rancho Santana, Nicaragua 

I first heard of Rancho Santana through an influencer friend who had visited with her family and ended up staying a month. It sounded amazing but also exotic and far away and I wasn’t sure about Nicaragua’s safety. Fast forward two years, and we had the opportunity to visit this magical spot. I’m so glad we booked the trip. Flying in and out of Nicaragua felt just like a Caribean or Mexican airport. I felt safe the whole time and it had a similar vibe. The resort was waiting outside customs to pick us up and take us to the resort. It’s a two hour drive if you fly into Mangau, which feels far, but actually went by very fast. They brought drinks and snacks and it was fun getting to see the rest of the country. Again, it felt like we were in the Caribbean or Mexico. The resort is spectacular. Rancho Santana is huge with multiple pools and beaches, each with their own vibes and offering. It’s easy to navigate despite its size, there are shuttles to take you around, and the staff couldn’t be more friendly or amazing with kids. For a young family like us, they have villas that include kitchens and multiple beds/bath but there’s also more hotel-like rooms if you prefer. We loved all the activities that were geared for kids of all ages and worked for our spread, from monkey trekking to surfing and boogey boarding to swimming, horseback riding, s’mores at a beach bonfire, and more. It was just so much fun and the right mix of activities. We got to steal away to the spa, and my husband actually said he thinks it was the best massage he’s had. There is also yoga and tennis and pickle ball. The kids club was awesome — my kids begged to go all day every day. And they have babysitting services too. We were so surprised by how delicious the food is and liked that there were different restaurants. We are creatures of habit with our little kids and loved the kids could play on the beach or at the pool while we waited for the food, but I think the only complaint we heard while there were some families with older kids wished there were more restaurants. Honestly, with the variety of food offered and how good it was, we didn’t feel that way. We could have also cooked in our kitchen or ordered food there, but we liked going out and  watching the sunset while we ate. I know this feels exotic and far flung, but I am predicting Nicaragua is the new Costa Rica and this is such an amazing spot. Everyone who has been there loves it and so did we.

Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunkport had been on my bucket list for a long time and we finally visited with all three kids this summer, and it completely lived up to my expectations. The beaches are beautiful, there are tons of fun things to do in the water with the kids that feel so unique to Maine from crabbing and lobster tours to fishing and sailing excursions and kayaking, and the food and vibe is so fun. We stayed at the Nonantum Resort and I can’t recommend it enough for families. It’s a fuss-free resort designed for families that sits on the most picturesque waterfront setting and offers so much to do for kids. They have a kids camp that runs daily that my kids loved. There are counselors and different activities every couple of hours throughout the day, from arts and crafts to crabbing and tie-dye and cooking-decorating. They saved us on a rainy day with a whole slew of indoor activities that ended up being one of my kids’ favorite days. You can grab lobster and sailing and fishing tours right from there dock, so it’s easy to access with the fam, and there’s a pool, lawn games, and bikes on site for use. They offer a daily breakfast buffet, which makes life so much easier when traveling with kids and they have two restaurants on site that you can eat at. We did both dinner and lunch there and the food was great and the kids could run around on the lawn while we enjoyed our meal at a normal pace. We stayed in a suite with two rooms that worked perfect for our family but everyone was close enough we could keep an eye on them.

Lake Placid

We visited Lake Placid for the first time as a family and loved it. I thought it was going to be snoozy and dead, but it was actually full of families and really lively and fun. It’s made for families with lot’s of fun things to do and a beautiful nature backdrop. I put together a guide to Lake Placid with all my recs for where to stay, eat and what to do, but if you’re looking for a lake getaway with outdoorsy things to do that’s extremely family-friendly, I highly recommend Lake Placid. We went in the summertime, but I would love to come back in the fall for hiking and I bet it’s really fun if you want to do the skiing and snowshoeing and skating in the wintertime. Stay at Mirror Lake Inn for a great family-friendly time.

Martha’s Vineyard

One of our favorite summer destinations, Martha’s Vineyard is such a special spot to visit as a family. We stayed in a house with friends while we were there and loved it but they also have some great hotels that you can stay at if you’d rather go thatt route. We loved the mix of beach, restaurants, activities, boating and the chill summertime vibe. It’s a perfect place for families and a really fun spot in the summer. I put together a whole guide to Martha’s Vineyard if you’re planning to visit with your family. If you’re looking for a hotel to stay, try the Harbor View Hotel or Faraway.

Caramel Valley Ranch, Caramel, CA

This is such a great family spot, with everything from horseback riding, an animal farm, and swimming to golf and tennis. There’s also lots of great hiking on the scenic property. There’s a mix of different restaurants and types of rooms and accommodations, so you can figure out what works for your fam. It’s also pet-friendly, which we would have definitely taken advantage of if it were closer to us. It feels like a real getaway (and has a great spa to escape to for a few hours if you can swing it), but there’s enough to do with the kids that everyone will be happy.

Park City, Utah

We got to Park City, Utah every year for the holidays and try to get back there during the spring and summer if we can swing it. Andrew’s family has been going out there for years and has two places down there, which makes it really convenient and feels like a second home. I wrote an entire guide to Park City for families that you can check out, but everything about this place is set up for families. While Park City and Deer Valley mountains are both right in town, we really love the experience at Deer Valley. There’s so much on the mountain, including tons of accommodations, the ski school is great, and they have lots of other fun activities for the kiddos. I highly recommend staying at the Lodges at Deer Valley — they’re the perfect compromise between an hotel and a house that offers you all the amenities of both and a restaurant on site that includes a skier’s buffet, making breakfast a breeze. Plus, they have apres cookies and coco, a store on premise with prepared food and snacks, shuttles to take you anywhere on the mountain or to town and just has a very family-friendly vibe. But you really can’t go wrong with any of the lodging choices on the mountain. Park City is also a fabulous mountain with a great ski school, but has less on-mountain accommodations, and I like that Deer Valley has better food and will valet your skies at the end of each day, so that’s our favorite with the kiddos.

Amelia Island, FL

We went here when James was about 18 months and it was one of our favorite trips ever. We still talk about going back with all the kids soon. In fact, we were going to go for spring break but decided ultimately, I was too pregnant to risk flying. But anytime we’re like we want to go somewhere warm as a family, this is the spot that comes top of mind. It’s a bit of a hike from the airport to get there, but then book a room or condo at the Omni Amelia Island Resort and you’re at this family-friendly compound with everything you need. You can stay at the resort the whole time and find plenty to eat and do, from bike and water toy rentals to the beach and pool to a million different restaurants and shops and even mini golf.  There’s also a cute little town you can also venture to with shops and food. We had such a great time here and found it so easy and convenient. I highly recommend it with kids of any age really. They also have a nature center, a kids camp, and gamers lounge for the kids.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah, South Carolina 

We went here for Andrew’s birthday last year, as he wanted an epic golf trip, and ended up taking the kids along. It was really a golf vacation and I wasn’t sure what to expect for the kids, but our expectations were beyond exceeded. This is truly a family-friendly resort. You can rent bikes and get around the entire expansive resort all on bike. The resort has a ton of pools, including one with slides and all the fun stuff, beachfront access and all the rentals right there on the sand, from chairs and umbrellas to water toys, an archery range, tennis, golf of course, an art studio and crafts for the kiddos, nature walks, kayaking tours, surfing lessons, paddle boarding, swim lessons, movies in the park, and a variety of kids camps. There are tons of restaurants on premise that are all great for kids, as well as some fancier options if you want to book a sitter and have a date night. The nearby town has more restaurant and shopping options, and a movie on the green some nights. It’s truly the cutest spot and such a fun place to go with the kids. We actually regretted not staying longer so we could do more with the kids.

Quogue/Westhampton, NY

We love going to the Hamptons every year with our kids. We prefer the Quogue/Westhampton area, as it’s where we met and fell in love and have lots of good friends. I wrote an entire blog post on fun things to do in the Hamptons with kids, but this is definitely near the top of my list of favorite family vacation destinations. It’s the perfect spot in summer. The beaches can’t be beat and we just love the vibe. We always rent a house, but there are some more hotel-like lodging options in the area like the Quogue Inn and Canoe Place.

Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

We went here a few years ago, right before Charlotte was born, with my sister-in-law and her two boys for my father-in-law’s birthday. I was skeptical of a big resort like this, but it was the perfect getaway for a large family gathering. There was literally something for everyone and was especially nice, as my nephews are a bit older, so there was stuff for the tweens/teens as well as littles like James, who was almost three when we went. I love that everything is right on premise there, so you don’t have to worry about leaving the safety of this sprawling resort or coordinating anything. There were more options to eat than we could count, including something for every type of picky eater. The water parks are so expansive and fun and there are options for all ages. The beaches are pristine and they offer all the toys right there. And there are so many kid-friendly activities: we swam with dolphins, went on boat rides, hit up nearly every water slide and park and activity, and there are tons of nighttime activities and entertainment as well. Trust me, no one in your family will be disappointed.

Disney World

This is probably an obvious one, but we recently went with all three kids and had the best time. It truly is the most magical place on earth. We stayed at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which I highly recommend for families. It offers a Monorail on site that takes you directly to the Magic Kingdom and you can see the fireworks from the hotel at night. It’s built for families with an arcade, pool with water slide and splash pad with water canons, dock/marina for boat rides, activities for the kids on site, restaurants like Chef Mickey’s character dining and nicer options like California Grill too, and was just an overall really great experience for our family. I have a full recap with recommendations and advice on the blog, but we visited Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom and loved them all. My kids have never been happier (or better behaved!) and we had an amazing time too.

Woodloch Resort, PA

If you’re looking to really bond and connect with your family, I can’t recommend Woodloch Resort enough. It’s located in the Poconos, so about a 2.5 hour drive from us and it’s basically family camp. It’s an all-inclusive resort that takes care of everything for you, so you can just focus on having fun with the kids. There’s something for kids of all ages, including my littles, and it really reminded me of going to camp as a kid and all the things I loved about it. There are lake activities, bumper boats and cars, evening entertainment like magic shows and s’mores and performances, sailing and canoeing, archery, golf and tennis, really anything you would ever want to do, it’s there. Mealtime is easy – you just show up and it’s done for you and all included, so you don’t have to worry about going out or dinner reservations or getting everyone changed and transported. My kids are absolutely obsessed now, but we are too. It made having fun with my kids actually fun if that makes sense. A colleague turned me onto Woodloch, which she calls her happy place and now I see why. She has older kids who are teens/tweens and they are obsessed too, so it’s definitely a fun spot to go to across age ranges, or for a fun family reunion destination if you have cousins of all ages.

Let me know if you have any favorite family vacation destinations to add to our list.