As a father, there are certain things you want to share with your children before they are all old enough to leave the nest and move out on their own. You want to make sure they can appreciate the greatness of John Wayne movies. You would like to get them to cheer on your favorite sports teams and not go with the crosstown rivals. And you definitely want to instill your family values into them to be passed down from generation to generation. On top of all this, you should know some places to travel with kids to make memories.
A few of these destinations you might have already experienced yourself and would like to share it with your kids before they vacate the house. Other locations could be completely new to the entire family. In any case, you are bound to grow closer as a family when visiting these places together. Below are a few exciting spots you should think about including during your next family vacation.
Memorable Places to Travel with Kids
Local Events
No matter where you choose to travel, finding events in the location of your trip is a great addition to the overall experience, and another way to create memories with your kids. Event Tickets Center makes it easy to find affordable and fun family activities that are sure to please everyone. See your children’s favorite Disney characters with all-new Disney on Ice shows, or take your older kids to see artists like Meghan Trainor or the Black Keys. But Event Tickets Center doesn’t just have concerts! It also connects you with comedy shows, musicals, and more. So, no matter where you choose to spend your time, Event Tickets Center is bound to have something everyone will want to do. And now, for the month of April, save 10% off orders over $150 with the code APRILGEMS!
The Alamo
The Alamo is in San Antonio, Texas, and was the destination of a famous battle for the rights of Texas between the Mexican army and the United States Republic of Texas. If any of your family is a history buff, they will find it intriguing to see the place where about 200 American soldiers, including the legendary Davy Crockett, perished. Not many people realize this, but if Crockett would have lived, he had a good chance in the future at becoming the President of the United States.
Here’s a tip, though: the Alamo is the most famous of the San Antonio Missions. Built by Spanish Franciscan monks with the express intent of proselytizing and indenturing First Nations people, these 5 churches are both gorgeous sites and important warnings against racism. Other than the Alamo, the others are still active Catholic churches. So, if you want, you can attend a Mass, light a candle for a loved one, or go to confession.
The Marriott has a great hotel within walking distance of the Alamo, so you might want to consider staying there!
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Since you might already be in Texas visiting the Alamo, might as well swing by and check out Dinosaur Valley State Park. It is south of Dallas and not difficult to get to. If your kids enjoy dinosaurs (and what kid doesn’t), they will enjoy seeing the dinosaurs tracks and bones. As a bonus, your family can also camp there overnight.
Disney World
This wouldn’t be a proper list if Disney World in Orlando, Florida was not included. You may have the song “It’s a Small World After All” running rampant in your head for a few days after, but that is a small price to pay to see your kids smiling for hours at a time.
The Black Hills
The Black Hills in South Dakota is known as the home to Mount Rushmore. But if your kids happen to be older and enjoy the supernatural, there are numerous paranormal locations your family can visit as well.
Redwood National Park
In Crescent City, California, you will find the largest trees on earth. It is hard to fathom just how big they are until you are standing next to one. In fact, some of the trees are reported to be over 2,000 years old.
Wisconsin Dells
The Wisconsin Dells has slowly grown into one of the most popular destinations for families across the country. It is declared to be the water park capital of the world, and it is hard to argue with that. Children always love water rides, so throw on some trunks and get drenched as a family.
The Grand Canyon
Arizona’s Grand Canyon is perhaps the most widely visited national park in the world. After all, the Brady Bunch visited there 50 years ago! It is the deepest canyon in the United States, and the rocks have literally been there for millions of years.
Cooperstown, New York
I can still remember the one and only visit to Cooperstown I had back when I was about eight years old. I was a huge baseball fan and read anything I could about the game. As soon as I stepped into the Baseball Hall of Fame there, I was in heaven. It would be easy to spend a couple days looking at all the exhibits if your kid is as excited about baseball as I was.
Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Not only are their beaches safe to swim and surf, but the people there are too nice for words. Just experiencing the culture and traditions alone is amazing enough. Before you and your family leave the island, you will be saying “Aloha” to every person you meet.
International Destinations
While staying in the good ole US of A offers multiple experiences for those who want places to travel with kids, adventuring across borders gives your kids the chance to experience other people, languages, and cultures. Such travel helps your children develop empathy and understanding for people from different backgrounds. Ideally, it will also spark their curiosity to learn more about the world around them.
But how do you pick a single location out of the whole world? It should come down to convenience, safety, and fun. Here are our favorite destinations outside of America’s borders!
Beijing, China
The thrill of modern innovation dances alongside centuries-old historical sites in this vibrant and beautiful city. Home to 21.54 million people, it teems with so many cultural experiences that you’ll struggle to pick just a few.
Here are some recommendations from a tried-and-true Beijing traveler:
- Don’t stay away from the tourist destinations. Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven are those rare attractions that are just as good as the hype. That being said, if you go to these places and aren’t of East Asian descent, get ready to have your picture taken by other vacationing locals (but don’t worry, most of them are friendly)!
- Visit the iconic neighborhoods. Fewer people come to Beijing for the modern areas, but the city has modernized rapidly in the last few decades. In particular, Sanlitun serves as a hubbub of fine cuisine and shopping, including restaurants and brands from all over the world. And don’t be afraid to just wander around! Consistent subway stations make it easy to explore several parts of the city in a day.
Pompeii and Naples, Italy
Located on either side of Mount Vesuvius (yes, it’s still an active volcano!), these two cities provide the perfect memorable respite for people who want to experience the world with their kids. With vegetation and scenery nurtured by the volcanic ecosystem and backdropped by the Mediterranean, your days in these cities will take your breath away.
Naples is also known for its exquisite Italian cuisine. Enjoy wine pairings, gelato, pasta, pizza, and more, from the land that either invented it or specializes in it!
We also recommend staying in Naples rather than Pompeii given that Pompeii was, well, buried under volcanic ash about a thousand years ago. But that’s exactly what makes it the most worth visiting! With streets, gathering places, an amphitheater, homes, temples, and even casts of residents and animals caught in the fiery destruction, it is the most intact evidence of how ancient Italians lived and thrived.
As you plan your family travels, don’t forget about the enriching experiences of live concerts and shows. Whether it’s a Broadway musical, a thrilling concert, or a mesmerizing theater performance, these events can add an extra layer of excitement to your itinerary.
