Where it used to be difficult to decide on a vacation spot that would please the whole family, a new trend, family-friendly resorts solves the problem of where to go for that great family trip. Experience everything from an African Safari to the Wild West with one of these top 10 family vacation spots.
#1 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Experience the thrill of an African safari without leaving the continent at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Start by greeting the 33-acre property via the lobby’s 65-foot window. Over 200 animals from 100 different species roam the property.
#2 Hilton Waikoloa Village
If a trip to the islands is on your agenda, take the family to the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii. Parents can sign kids up for Camp Menehune, a day and night camp where they get to feed swans, hunt for treasure and search the tidepools for sea life.
#3 Tanque Verde Ranch
Tanque Verde literally means “Green Pool.” This 640-acre ranch is Tuscan, Arizona is a green oasis in the Sonoran Desert. Turn into cowboys and go on a specialty horseback ride with lunch in Cottonwood Grove. Riding lessons are available.
#4 Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
Take a wonderful winter vacation at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort near Salt Lake City, Utah.In addition to skiing, family members can enjoy ice skating, snowboarding, snow tubing, luge sledding and snowshoe tours.
#5 Atlantis Resort
Explore a lost civilization with an Atlantis Resort vacation. Located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, it has 11 exhibit lagoons and thousands of animals such as stingrays, lionfish and sharks. This trip is for the water-loving family with miles of beaches, seven water slides and 11 different pool areas.
#6 Tyler Place Family Resort
Family vacations have been the specialty of Tyler Place in Highgate Springs, Vermont since 1933. Not only do they provide activities for grade school kids, they cater to kids from newborns to teens with musical games, a fleet of strollers, bikes with baby seats, water skiing and camp outs.
#7 Vista Verde, Steamboat Springs
At Vista Verde in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, kids can learn horseback riding basics and hold powwows in teepees while parents take a wine tasting class or have a romantic candlelight dinner.
#8 Earthshine Mountain Lodge
Located in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, Earthshine Mountain Lodge is a refreshing way to experience pioneer life. Press apple cider, make candles, apprentice in a blacksmith shop and learn the ways of the Cherokee Native American tribe.
#9 Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa, Gainey Ranch
At the Hyatt Regency in Scottsdale, Arizona, parents get plenty of R&R while the kids are entertained at Camp Hyatt Kachina. There are separate programs for kids aged 3 to 6 and 6 to 12. The camp activities are influenced by Native American culture.
#10 The Hotel Hershey
The Hotel Hershey in Hershey, Pennsylvania pairs adult activities like golf and spa treatments with the Cocoa Kids Club, a supervised program featuring arts and crafts and sports activities. Older kids get to go hiking and participate in team-building activities.
