1. CALIFORNIA’S REDWOOD COAST
I think the California Redwood Coast is a perfect spot for a family vacation, whether it be the whole vacation or just a part of a bigger journey. The trees will amaze little kids, have them try to wrap their arms around one to get the full impact of just how big these giants really are. There are plenty of family-friendly hikes dotting the redwood parks. Each hike will let you discover just how quiet a forest can actually be.
Lastly, hopefully a visit to the California Redwoods will help your kids learn about nature and create a soft spot in their hearts for our world. We need to raise our kids to care about our natural wonders and to understand how precious nature is. They need a world to inherit and the knowledge to care once it’s their turn.
2. BOISE, IDAHO
The real strength of Boise as a family destination are all the outdoor activities.
A system of public parks runs through the center of town, and the nine riverside parks are known collectively as the ‘Ribbon of Jewels’. These parks are full of walkways, playgrounds, trails, disc golf courses and other outdoor diversions. The Greenbelt is a paved bike path that links all the parks (and much of the rest of the town) along the river. Further, when the weather is good, families can leisurely float the Boise River, and a regular bus will shuttle you back to the put-in point. Camel’s Back Park, while not on the river, is filled with trails, playgrounds, etc. – and it’s located near a handful of great family-friendly restaurants (and Goody’s ice cream shop).
It’s worth your time to take the winding drive up to Bogus Basin, the local, nonprofit, ski hill. There are great hikes there, wonderful views of the city, and it can be a completely different temperature than in the valley itself. In the winter there is skiing (both downhill and cross-country) and a tubing hill.
3. FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST
The Florida Space Coast is a beautiful gem on the East Coast of Florida with something for everyone. The beautiful wide sand beaches on the Atlantic have made towns like Cocoa Beach a surfer’s paradise. With beachfront, affordable hotels, family-friendly dining, and kid-approved activities like miniature golf, there is everything you need for a relaxing family vacation. But what makes this region so special is, of course, the Kennedy Space Center.
You don’t need to be into space to find KSC fascinating. Kids can of course learn about the history of the space program, but they can also learn to perform a mission in space, crawl through a model International Space Station, and walk under the massive Saturn V rockets. If you are really lucky with your timing, you may even get to see a rocket launch. Only about an hour from Orlando, the Space Coast makes a great option for families that want to pair some beach time with a visit to the theme parks.
4. CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
The population of Chattanooga, TN stands at less than 200,000, but it’s not your ordinary small Southern town. Chattanooga is an outdoor playground, promising nature-loving families a weekend worth of fun. From caving to hang-gliding and rafting to rock-climbing, high adventure reigns. After you work up an appetite, head into town for impeccable eats. Urban Stack is our family’s favorite but you’ll find plenty of locally-owned options to choose from.
Looking for more traditional attractions? Try Chattanooga Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Tennessee Valley Railroad, and Hunter Museum of American Art. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Moon Pie General Store – Moon Pies originated in Chattanooga!
While we do recommend a visit to the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel during the day, The Chattanoogan remains our favorite overnight accommodation. You’ll find spacious rooms, an inviting lobby, and the perfect heated, indoor pool offering views over the neighborhood.
5. MIDCOAST MAINE
MidCoast Maine is a collection of small towns and islands and is a wonderful place for a family vacation. The region, just off of US-1 (the heavily traveled route between Portland and Acadia National Park), simply has it all: excellent food; abundance of outdoor activities; arts and culture; and jaw-dropping scenery.
First off, the lobster. There can’t be talk about Maine without mentioning lobster. The whole family can enjoy a lobster dinner in MidCoast Maine for a fraction of what it might cost at home. Claws, a casual, family-friendly lobster shack in Rockland, is a top pick.
With mountains above and Penobscot Bay below, MidCoast Maine is a year-round, outdoor family playground. A great spot for families to enjoy the outdoors (along with that jaw-dropping scenery) is Camden Hills State Park. Hike, bike, or drive to the top of Mount Battie for sweeping views of the bay and Camden Harbor. Families looking to be out on the water are in luck. There is no shortage of schooner day cruises in MidCoast Maine.
For a bit of culture, families should head to Rockland, Maine’s new arts destination. Rockland is home to Farnsworth Art Museum and Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA). Both institutions focus on MidCoast Maine’s role in the arts, from 100-year-old pieces at Farnsworth to modern creations at CMCA.
I think the California Redwood Coast is a perfect spot for a family vacation, whether it be the whole vacation or just a part of a bigger journey. The trees will amaze little kids, have them try to wrap their arms around one to get the full impact of just how big these giants really are. There are plenty of family-friendly hikes dotting the redwood parks. Each hike will let you discover just how quiet a forest can actually be.
Lastly, hopefully a visit to the California Redwoods will help your kids learn about nature and create a soft spot in their hearts for our world. We need to raise our kids to care about our natural wonders and to understand how precious nature is. They need a world to inherit and the knowledge to care once it’s their turn.
2. BOISE, IDAHO
The real strength of Boise as a family destination are all the outdoor activities.
A system of public parks runs through the center of town, and the nine riverside parks are known collectively as the ‘Ribbon of Jewels’. These parks are full of walkways, playgrounds, trails, disc golf courses and other outdoor diversions. The Greenbelt is a paved bike path that links all the parks (and much of the rest of the town) along the river. Further, when the weather is good, families can leisurely float the Boise River, and a regular bus will shuttle you back to the put-in point. Camel’s Back Park, while not on the river, is filled with trails, playgrounds, etc. – and it’s located near a handful of great family-friendly restaurants (and Goody’s ice cream shop).
It’s worth your time to take the winding drive up to Bogus Basin, the local, nonprofit, ski hill. There are great hikes there, wonderful views of the city, and it can be a completely different temperature than in the valley itself. In the winter there is skiing (both downhill and cross-country) and a tubing hill.
3. FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST
You don’t need to be into space to find KSC fascinating. Kids can of course learn about the history of the space program, but they can also learn to perform a mission in space, crawl through a model International Space Station, and walk under the massive Saturn V rockets. If you are really lucky with your timing, you may even get to see a rocket launch. Only about an hour from Orlando, the Space Coast makes a great option for families that want to pair some beach time with a visit to the theme parks.
4. CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
Looking for more traditional attractions? Try Chattanooga Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Tennessee Valley Railroad, and Hunter Museum of American Art. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Moon Pie General Store – Moon Pies originated in Chattanooga!
While we do recommend a visit to the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel during the day, The Chattanoogan remains our favorite overnight accommodation. You’ll find spacious rooms, an inviting lobby, and the perfect heated, indoor pool offering views over the neighborhood.
5. MIDCOAST MAINE
First off, the lobster. There can’t be talk about Maine without mentioning lobster. The whole family can enjoy a lobster dinner in MidCoast Maine for a fraction of what it might cost at home. Claws, a casual, family-friendly lobster shack in Rockland, is a top pick.
With mountains above and Penobscot Bay below, MidCoast Maine is a year-round, outdoor family playground. A great spot for families to enjoy the outdoors (along with that jaw-dropping scenery) is Camden Hills State Park. Hike, bike, or drive to the top of Mount Battie for sweeping views of the bay and Camden Harbor. Families looking to be out on the water are in luck. There is no shortage of schooner day cruises in MidCoast Maine.
For a bit of culture, families should head to Rockland, Maine’s new arts destination. Rockland is home to Farnsworth Art Museum and Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA). Both institutions focus on MidCoast Maine’s role in the arts, from 100-year-old pieces at Farnsworth to modern creations at CMCA.
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