If you happen to’re on the lookout for a family-friendly getaway, solar and sand are a wonderful alternative. In fact, you’ll desire a vacation spot with thrilling points of interest, cozy lodging, and loads of eating choices to maintain everybody happy. We’ve compiled this record of worldwide and home seashore trip spots that can assist you plan a enjoyable, thrilling journey in your complete crew.
Why take a seashore trip as a household?
With the myriad calls for of every day life – work, faculty, extra-curricular actions, and extra – it may be robust for households to spend high quality time collectively. A seashore trip offers adults and children alike the chance to unplug, loosen up, and revel in one another’s firm. Whether or not you go for a home retreat or someplace abroad, the distinctive locales and thrilling actions might help you make reminiscences that can final a lifetime.
9 finest household seashore holidays
Gulf Shores, Alabama
A part of a 32-mile stretch of white sand seashores in southern Alabama, Gulf Shores has an array of pure points of interest and household actions to please everybody in your group. Indulge in a cool breeze from the Gulf of Mexico whereas splashing in clear, heat waters. If you wish to keep near the seashore, attempt the world’s many fishing hotspots, embark on a dolphin-watching cruise, or take the gang paddle boarding or kayaking. Nature fans ought to try the Bon Secour Nationwide Wildlife Refuge for birdwatching, mountain climbing, and exploring native wildlife conservation efforts.
One of many space’s many amusement parks and points of interest is Waterville USA, a 20-acre oasis with loads of water slides, a browsing simulation, a lazy river, and way more. There’s additionally The Observe, which options go-karts, mini-golf, and an arcade.
Adults will admire the world’s many family-friendly reside music and leisure spots, like The Hangout, Lulu’s Gulf Shores, and Cheesy Jacks. And the domestically sourced seafood at Gulf Shores’ many beachside eating places can’t be beat.
San Diego, California
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a style of town life alongside along with your seashore trip, look no additional than San Diego, California. In addition to having among the most picturesque shores in California–together with Coronado Seaside, La Jolla Shores, and Mission Seaside—the San Diego space can be house to family-friendly points of interest just like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, and LEGOLAND California.
Households can discover the wealthy historical past and tradition of San Diego by way of visits to locations like Balboa Park, which homes museums, gardens, and performing arts venues. And the united statesMidway Museum presents an academic expertise on a historic plane provider.
In fact, you don’t have to go away the seashores to have a incredible time in San Diego. The city’s shores are recognized for his or her mushy sand, mild waves, and family-friendly facilities like playgrounds, picnic areas, and lifeguards on obligation. And town hosts beach-centric actions all year long, together with sandcastle competitions, seashore cleanups, and vacation parades so as to add to the enjoyable for guests.
Phuket Island, Thailand
White sand, turquoise waters, and mild waves make Phuket, Thailand, house to a few of Southeast Asia’s most lovely seashores, together with Kata Seaside, Kamala Seaside, and Nai Harn Seaside. The waters are normally calm, making Phuket a wonderful alternative for households with smaller youngsters. Adventurous teams can even admire the world’s many different actions, reminiscent of snorkeling round coral reefs, visiting moral elephant sanctuaries, or immersing within the native tradition at Wat Chalong Temple or Phuket Previous City.
Thai individuals are recognized for his or her heat hospitality, and Phuket is a welcoming vacation spot for households. The island has a relaxed, protected ambiance, with many companies catering particularly to the wants of households touring with youngsters. Select from all kinds of family-friendly resorts or motels, lots of which supply facilities like youngsters’ golf equipment and babysitting companies.
Touring in Thailand is usually very inexpensive, making Phuket an interesting alternative for households that need all the joy of a tropical trip with out breaking the financial institution.
St. Augustine, Florida
Located within the northwestern a part of Florida alongside the Atlantic Ocean, St. Augustine, Florida, has the excellence of being the oldest constantly inhabited European-established settlement within the continental United States. Once you’re not absorbing the solar at one of many city’s a number of pristine seashores, your loved ones can discover the numerous cultural points of interest, just like the Castillo de San Marcos, a Seventeenth-century Spanish fortress; the historic St. George Road; and the Colonial Quarter.
St. Augustine can be well-known for its ghost excursions, that are each spooky and enjoyable for adults and older youngsters. These excursions take households by way of the historic streets, sharing tales of town’s haunted previous. Different thrilling spots embody the Pirate and Treasure Museum and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, the place households can try a wide range of unique reptiles and fowl species and even take a zipline trip over the alligators.
Nassau, The Bahamas
Nassau, The Bahamas’ capital metropolis, is house to a wide range of resorts and points of interest for households looking for an thrilling Caribbean trip. The Atlantis Paradise Island Resort is especially fashionable, that includes water parks, marine habitats, and leisure choices that cater to each youngsters and adults.
Nassau’s seashores, like Cable Seaside, Cabbage Seaside, and Junkanoo Seaside, are recognized for his or her sugary white sands and crystal clear waters, excellent for swimming, sunbathing, and constructing sandcastles. Nassau’s many alternatives to work together with marine life embody Blue Lagoon Island, the place households can swim with dolphins, play with sea lions, and revel in a day on a personal island; and the close by Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre the place youngsters can rise up shut with flamingos, parrots, and different unique animals.
Previous Orchard Seaside, Maine
In comparison with the extra tropical spots on our record, New England may not look like a best choice for a seashore trip, however Maine’s Previous Orchard Seaside is nice for adults and children alike. The city’s seven-mile stretch of seashore gives loads of house to stretch out within the solar or splash round within the gentle waters.
The Previous Orchard Seaside Pier is a nostalgic centerpiece of the seashore with arcades, meals stands, and family-friendly outlets. Different native points of interest embody Palace Playland, one of many few remaining seaside amusement parks within the U.S., and Aquaboggan Water Park, the place you possibly can take pleasure in slides, swimming pools, and lazy rivers for a enjoyable day away from the seashore.
Previous Orchard Seaside has a wide range of informal eating choices excellent for households. From seafood shacks serving lobster rolls and fried clams to ice cream parlors and pizza locations, there’s one thing for everybody. You’ll additionally discover lodging for a wide range of household sizes, tastes, and budgets, from campgrounds to seaside motels.
Corfu, Greece
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a trip vacation spot wealthy in historical past, Corfu, Greece, must be in your record. Corfu’s Venetian, French, and British influences add cultural depth to this island, and households can discover historic websites such because the Previous Fortress, Achilleion Palace, and Corfu Previous City, a UNESCO World Heritage Website. These experiences enable youngsters to find out about Greek historical past and tradition in a enjoyable and interactive method.
A lot of Corfu’s villages and cities are quiet and protected, with a welcoming ambiance that makes it straightforward for households to loosen up. Smaller cities like Kassiopi or Agios Stefanos are perfect for a peaceable household trip away from the extra crowded vacationer areas.
The island’s seashores, reminiscent of Glyfada, Paleokastritsa, and Agios Georgios, supply calm, shallow waters excellent for kids to swim and play in safely. And the island’s Mediterranean local weather gives comfy temperatures and mild sea breezes so you possibly can take pleasure in out of doors actions with out the extraordinary warmth typically present in different locations.
Waikiki, Hawaii
Situated on the island of Oahu, Waikiki, Hawaii, is an thrilling tropical vacation spot within the Pacific Ocean. The waters at Waikiki Seaside are typically shallow and calm, which is right for swimming, wading, and newbie browsing classes. If you happen to’re simply getting began driving waves, you’re in luck–many surf faculties in Waikiki cater to youngsters and households. Different enjoyable actions embody snorkeling, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, and parasailing.
Households visiting Waikiki can immerse themselves in Hawaiian tradition at conventional luau exhibits, the place youngsters can expertise Hawaiian music, dance, and meals. The close by Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace supply cultural and historic displays that present a fascinating peek into the island’s previous.
Although airfare to Hawaii may be dear, Waikiki’s year-round sunny climate means you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in your time within the solar exterior of peak journey months whereas doubtlessly saving cash.
Myrtle Seaside, South Carolina
One other gem within the southeastern U.S., Myrtle Seaside, South Carolina, is full of family-friendly actions. Referred to as the mini-golf capital of the world, Myrtle Seaside has dozens of programs, together with pirate-themed and dinosaur-themed parks. There’s additionally Household Kingdom Amusement Park, with curler coasters and carnival rides appropriate for all ages, and the SkyWheel, a large Ferris wheel on the boardwalk providing breathtaking views of the shoreline.
Myrtle Seaside can be loaded with family-friendly eating and leisure. Some enjoyable eating choices embody Pirates Voyage Dinner & Present, an thrilling expertise full with acrobatics, sword fights, and reside animals; Crabby Mike’s Calabash Seafood, a preferred buffet; and Johnny D’s Waffles and Benedicts, recognized for its wide selection of inventive breakfast decisions.
Myrtle Seaside presents a variety of lodging choices that cater to households, together with beachfront motels, resorts with swimming pools, and trip leases. Many resorts function water parks, lazy rivers, youngsters’ golf equipment, and direct seashore entry. In comparison with different locations, Myrtle Seaside’s affordability makes it a terrific choice for households on a finances.
Household Journey Insurance coverage for Seaside Holidays
There are a lot of concerns to take when planning a household trip, from the vacation spot to flights and lodge lodging. Amidst all of the planning, take into account journey insurance coverage protection to guard your monetary funding and your loved ones throughout your journey. Household journey insurance coverage can cowl you and your entire touring relations at some point of your trip. Learn extra about family travel insurance right here.
Written by Casey Clague