Move over revenge travel. Reconnection travel – booking a trip to make up for lost time – is one of the latest travel trends. According to easyJet holidays, 25% of UK customers will be prioritising going away with their extended family to make up for lost time. Henbury Travel has also seen an influx of grandparents booking breaks with their children and grandchildren. Discover 10 incredible destinations the whole family can enjoy.
San Diego, California
San Diego’s world-class attractions can be enjoyed by parents and grandparents of all ages. Families can make lifelong memories with visits to LEGOLAND, San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, USS Midway Museum and the newly-opened Sesame Place theme park; take to the water with a boat trip or watersports on the Pacific Ocean, or simply relax by the beach and enjoy California’s famous sunshine with an icecream in hand. Book a stay at Paradise Point Resort and Spa which has a range of suites, bungalows and accessible guest rooms to cater to all visitors. www.sandiego.org
Steamboat, Colorado
Hit the slopes at Steamboat, a welcoming resort that’s true to its western roots and packed with family-friendly activities. Skiing may be the main draw, but the resort also offers snow tubing, a mountain roller coaster, ice skating, snowshoeing and special sleigh ride dinners which takes families on a scenic horse and carriage ride through Yampa Valley’s rolling hills. Kids age 12 and under can also ski for free at Steamboat with the purchase of a five-or-more day adult lift ticket, making it a purse-friendly option for multigenerational families. www.steamboat.com
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the perfect place for multigenerational travel. The 28-acre National Historic Landmark, Old Sacramento, offers fun, historical activities for the whole family. Sacramento’s History Museum is dedicated to the city’s rich history and the exhibits explore the stories of pioneers who settled during the Gold Rush. Kids can try their luck at gold panning and visit the interactive exhibits, as well as join the underground tour, where they are taken under the city streets to hear about the history of the area. While in Old Sacramento, there are a number of attractions that will also keep the parents entertained, including the California State Railroad Museum – where visitors can get inside old trains – and the Delta King Hotel, a floating hotel and restaurant in a resorted historic vessel on the American River to enjoy lunch after a morning of exploring the area. www.visitsacramento.com
Greater Palm Springs, California
With nine cities in one beautiful oasis, Greater Palm Springs is rich in experiences for all generations, with outdoor adventure, healing mineral spas and world-class events. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – the world’s largest rotating tram car – offers an exciting full-day of family adventure as it travels over two and a half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, up to the wilderness of Mt. San Jacinto State. Admire the view in awe as the 10-minute tram ride offers spectacular views of the valley floor, before reaching the end of the journey at an elevation of 8,516 feet. From here, everyone can enjoy over 50 miles of hiking trails and 14,000 acres of pristine wilderness, while grandparents enjoy lunch at Peaks restaurant with panoramic views of Coachella Valley. www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com
Yosemite Mariposa County, California
Take a family trip to Yosemite and the High Sierra over the winter – it’s a beautiful, quiet and inspiring time of year to visit, with a sparkling white coat of snow that rests lightly on the ledges of Yosemite’s grand cliffs and settles peacefully among the pines. Badger Pass Ski Area is a great and affordable place for children to learn how to ski or snowboard. The family can also try snowshoeing through the park’s winter landscape and combine a snowshoe adventure with learning new things about Yosemite’s winter ecology and wildlife on a ranger-led snowshoe walk or guided tour. To truly make for an incredible family experience, get a home away from home with a holiday rental. In Mariposa County there are around 600 amazing holiday rentals, ranging in size from hideaway cabins for two, to large homes that can accommodate a multiple family get together. www.yosemite.com
Florida’s Paradise Coast
Florida’s Paradise Coast is spoilt for choice when it comes to family activities, and best of all they’re all set amongst the backdrop of the region’s great outdoors. Spend quality time relaxing with family on the beaches of Naples or Marco Island, exploring wildlife in the Everglades, or checking out one of many other attractions that make the Paradise Coast the perfect spot for a family vacation. From spotting wild dolphins to zipping down water slides, summer in the Paradise Coast brings fun and excitement for the whole family in this easily accessible destination. For those looking to escape the sun head indoors to Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. This two-story museum offers 16 unique exhibits, from an Everglades-themed maze to an entirely blue room with giant construction blocks, guaranteed to entertain kids and adults alike. Paradisecoast.com
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is full of amazing activities and places to visit that are interesting for parents, grandparents and children of all ages whether it is visiting Alcatraz or San Francisco Zoo. The Walt Disney Family Museum is best for families with older kids, though the sheer amount of Disney paraphernalia is great for Disney fans of all generations. Muir Woods is a short drive away from the city making it an excellent day trip for San Francisco visitors. The trail is accessible to both strollers and wheelchairs, making it great for younger and older family members. www.visitcalifornia.com
Whistler, Canada
While Whistler may be most known for skiing, snowboarding and biking, it’s also packed with things that help make a multigenerational trip awesome any time of the year. Whistler offers a wide range of activities spanning interests and abilities, lots of dining choices and an accessible central core – Whistler Village. There is a wide range of accommodation from townhomes and chalets to hotels with a kitchenette perfect for those with young children. Dinner time is a great opportunity for families to share their favourite parts of the day and to plan their next adventure. Whistler has many family-friending restaurants, a few trusty ones for kid-approved food at a good price are Old Spaghetti Factory, Hunter Gather and Caramba. www.whistler.com
