Does your family vacation need a refresh? This collection of destinations offers something for every vacation style! Each is family-tested and includes links to details to help plan. Whether you want to relax by the water, explore a national park, cross off a bucket list destination, or head out on a road trip, here are over a dozen summer USA vacation ideas for inspiration all in one place!
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USA Road Trips
What’s more iconic than a family road trip? This kind of trip creates priceless memories and a chance to explore several places in one trip. While some might be overwhelmed with the thought of traveling 2,000 or more miles with family or friends, proper planning and organization can go a long way toward a memorable trip. Find helpful tips here for planning a road trip. If vacation days are limited, consider flying to a destination and then starting your road trip. We’ve done this several times, flying to Los Angeles, Seattle, and Albuquerque before hitting the road in a rented minivan to explore California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southwest. Keep reading to get started, then find details for our Get Up and Go Itineraries here.
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! 
A shorter road trip on the East Coast combines the fun of Boston with a visit to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine. Plan to make some stops along the five hour drive. Eating lobster rolls, visiting picturesque towns, and the Fort Knox Historic site are just a few ideas. Bar Harbor is the gateway town to Acadia National Park, where you can spend a few days wandering the park or get up early to watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. Get a reservation in advance to travel on Cadillac Summit Road.
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. Download a Washington DC or New Orleans Bucket List! Bucket List Destinations
Everyone has a different opinion about what’s on their bucket list! But a few places that consistently rise to the top are Niagara Falls, Alaska, Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone. It's easy to plan a vacation around any one of these destinations.
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. 
Island Vibes
When it comes to island vibes, a Hawaiian vacation usually tops the list! We have only been once, with time spent on Maui and Oahu, but look forward to future visits to explore other islands. The list of things to do is endless, including hanging out on the beach, exploring stops along the Road to Hana, sunrise at Haleakala National Park, watching sea turtles, visiting Pearl Harbor, or eating Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice! We found prices to be cheaper during the summer months.
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. 
For a less expensive tropical vacation option, consider a trip to the Florida Keys. In just a few hours from Miami, you can be relaxing on one of the many Keys that span from Key Largo to Key West. There you will find state parks like Bahia Honda and Fort Zachary Taylor for snorkeling and swimming, and plenty of restaurants to try all the varieties of Key Lime Pie! Resorts like Hawks Cay offer larger accommodations to give families and friends room to spread out. Don’t miss the sunset at colorful Mallory Square in Key West!
Outdoor Adventure | National Parks
Are you looking for a vacation that provides a healthy dose of outdoor activities? Check out this collection of 18 family vacation destinations all around the USA with hiking, biking, kayaking, and more! Discover state parks like Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island in Lake Superior, or head to a family dude ranch in Montana. We still have fond memories of a Wyoming dude ranch vacation almost 30 years ago!
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. 
West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park and Preserve checks all the boxes for outdoor adventure. Not to mention, there are currently no fees to enter the park! There’s tons of hiking, climbing, white water rafting, and the thrilling Bridgewalk! It is not for those with a fear of heights, as you walk on a catwalk 25 feet below the bridge deck secured with a safety harness. But it gives you a unique perspective looking down on the river!
Lake | Ocean Vacations
Would you rather spend your days under a beach umbrella or relaxing lake-side? Luckily with the large number of lakes scattered around the USA and thousands of miles of shoreline, the options for vacations by the water are almost endless!
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. 
Head south to another popular family vacation destination, Hilton Head, South Carolina. Bring a beach chair, bikes, and an appetite for fresh seafood. Catch the morning sunrise, grab a family photo in front of the Harbour Town Lighthouse, and climb over 100 steps to the top! Hilton Head is known for its golf courses, so bring your clubs.
Fun Cities With History
Looking for a vacation with a splash of history? Some of our favorite cities to explore include Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Boston. Visitors to Washington, DC can explore the historic memorials scattered along the National Mall, then spend a few hours in one of the free Smithsonian Museums during the heat of the day. Read or download a Washington DC Bucket List for other things we recommend when visiting DC, like eating at a historic market or touring the Library of Congress. Use our 3-day Washington DC itinerary to help plan your visit.
Boston also has several ways to explore by foot. Take a walk through history on the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail. Use the online brochure to get more information about each site. Or consider taking a walking tour with Free Tours by Foot, a name-your-own-price business. While wandering in the North End, be sure to pick up Italian pastries at Modern Pastry Shop or Mike’s Pastry. Experience Caffé Vittoria, considered Boston’s first Italian cafe. Other fun things to do are the Swan Boats in Boston Public Garden, a Duck Tour, New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, or a ballgame at Fenway Park. The last two are included in the Boston CityPASS® ticket.
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 scrolling through the blog!
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