Get Inspired With These USA Summer Family Vacation Ideas

A California road trip provides the chance to experience a variety of attractions. Over 17 days, enjoy southern California beaches, Hollywood, visits to national parks including Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, and the rugged Channel Islands. Kids will love Universal Studios, cable car rides, beach horseback riding, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and the fascinating Alcatraz.  Make this trip longer or shorter by focusing on a single region of the state.

Ready for the unworldly landscapes and natural wonders of the Southwest? A fast-paced 13-day road trip with a national park focus, gives you a taste of iconic parks like the Grand Canyon, Arches, Zion, and Bryce Canyon. You can add in fun activities like a narrow-gauge train ride, horseback riding, or a float trip on the Colorado River. Or consider just exploring Colorado and Utah with this 8-day itinerary, planned from a twenty-something perspective! 

On a Florida road trip, it’s easy to start with a theme park adventure then head west to explore the beautiful Gulf Coast. Spend a few days on the white sands beaches of Siesta Key, then head to Crystal River to take a guided snorkel adventure to legally swim with manatees. The Gulf Coast is also home to many of Florida’s State Parks with access to recreational activities in the clear waters.

I remember my first view gazing into the Grand Canyon in mid-December many years ago! It’s hard to convey the spectacular natural beauty and endless view to those who’ve never been. If you have the time, visit both the North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Both rims offer hiking and scenic views for all ages! Even a short hike is worth the time! It was the same sense of wonder seeing wildlife in the early morning and viewing Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park. 

Niagara Falls elicits similar awe when you first lay eyes on the three powerful falls that together make up this popular destination. The best way to feel the spray is on a tour like the  Niagara Falls American Side Highlights Tour including Cave of the Winds and the Maid of the Mist boat ride. But don’t worry, the ponchos you get on a tour do a good job keeping you dry! Nearby Whirlpool State Park also has views and hiking trails. We even found some fun things to do on our road trip to Niagara Falls, including visiting the Corning Museum of Glass and scenic Letchworth State Park.

Another place high on many bucket lists is Alaska. While it seems that most folks visit via a cruise, we opted for a 10-day Alaska adventure on land that took us to Anchorage, Seward (home to the spectacular Kenai Fjords National Park and a memorable kayaking experience), Talkeetna (for flightseeing), and Denali National Park. Our trip ended with a ride on the Denali Star, with jaw-dropping views of the mighty Denali. Best of all, we used a local tour operator to set up our hotels, excursions, and transportation.

The U.S. Virgin Islands is another beautiful spot for an island getaway, with several U.S. cities offering direct flights to St. Thomas. One option is to rent a car on St. Thomas and take the ferry to St. John. Just keep in mind they drive on the left side of the road! We had a memorable summer vacation on the island of St. John, exploring beaches, snorkeling, and relaxing in our vacation rental with its spectacular views of Coral Bay. Cheaper rates make summer a good time to visit. While a passport is not required, it’s the easiest way to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Inspired to plan a national park trip? Start by reading our National Park Ideas and Resources. We share ways to combine several parks into one trip, and lessons learned while navigating within the parks. It’s important to start planning early for the best experience, with several parks requiring timed-entry passes in 2024. Download the National Park app to preview parks. Here’s a few specific ideas to start with. 

Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is well-suited for a summer vacation. The park offers hiking to alpine lakes, scenic drives, waterfalls, and ranger programs for kids and adults. Be sure to grab timed entry passes in advance, especially for the Bear Lake Road Corridor. Estes Park makes a good base for your visit with its convenient location just outside the park. 

Get inspired to start planning with these 5 Fun Summer Lake Destinations. They include Smith Mountain Lake nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and Lake Tahoe, straddling California and Nevada. If a house on the shore is not close enough to the water, you might consider renting a houseboat. It’s a way to disconnect and bond with whoever you are traveling with! Read more about what we learned on a 3-day houseboat adventure on Smith Mountain Lake. 

With miles of coastline along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coast, there is no shortage of beach vacation options. In the Mid-Atlantic area, Rehoboth Beach is a favorite! Spend the day along miles of beaches in Rehoboth and nearby Dewey Beach, then enjoy the classic boardwalk experience with the iconic Funland! In nearby Lewes, spend the day at Cape Henlopen State Park, then take a sunset cruise.   

In Philadelphia, check out the Liberty Bell Center, which houses the original Liberty Bell, along with Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed. If you don’t want to wait in line, take a sneak peek at the Liberty Bell through the side window. Stop in historic Reading Market for lunch; try something from DiNic’s Roast Pork or Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies and Cheesesteaks. While in town, visit the historic Eastern State Penitentiary for architecture, history, and hauntings, or wander around looking at Philadelphia’s huge collection of street art. Feeling energetic? Run up the “Rocky Steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art! 

Find details on all these destinations and more trip ideas by clicking on the links included in this blog!