Looking for ideas for your next family vacation? Sure, Florida is great but let’s be honest, you’re probably a little sick of theme parks by now. After all, this is your vacation too, and chances are you’d rather do something that doesn’t involve roller coasters or standing in line to meet animated characters. So, change it up, forget the theme parks, and instead plan your next vacation to one of these four travel destinations perfect for families with kids.
London, England
London has tons to offer everyone and promises to keep your kids busy and excited. Spend an afternoon examining dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum or Egyptian mummies at the British Museum, both of which are free of charge. Of course, your kids (and you yourself!) will want to test if you are magic or muggle and try to see if you can access platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station. London has plenty to keep the entire family entertained!
Oahu, Hawaii
Hawaii has some of the best beaches in the world, especially for a family vacation. Watch the surfers ride the waves at Waikiki Beach, snorkel with tropical fish in Hanauma Bay, and if your family visits in the winter, you can even do a whale watching tour. For families that love to watch movies together, spend a day exploring Kualoa Ranch, where big-budget movies including Jurassic Park were filmed. Oahu has adventure suited for everyone.
Ireland
Ireland has a reputation for being a drinking destination, but there is so much more that makes it ideal for family travel as well. From the fairytale castles spread across the country (some of which you can even sleep in!) to the friendly sheep along the side of the road, a trip around Ireland will leave your kids with memories to last a lifetime. Families with children will especially love Dingle, where you can find a local dolphin named Fungie and some filming scenes from Star Wars, The Last Jedi; Blarney, where you can kiss the famous Blarney Stone; and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, which is steeped in folklore and legends.
Costa Rica
Another great family destination that combines beaches and adventure is Costa Rica, which features ziplining through Arenal National Park to visiting the Diamante Sloth Sanctuary, home to some incredible native wildlife. One of the best things about Costa Rica is also that it has such a diverse landscape: your family can spend a few days relaxing and playing on the beach, then lace up your boots to go hiking around a volcano. Costa Rica is a fun but safe destination that’s ideal for families, looking for something different and adventurous.
So, where are you headed on your next family vacation?
Hannah Logan is a Canadian travel writer who dreams of being just like Indiana Jones. You can follow her travels on her personal travel blog
Eat Sleep Breathe Travel where she shares her travel tales and (mis)adventures around the world.