Whether you have thrill seekers or art lovers in your family, it’s possible to plan a trip tailored to your interests and keep everyone happy.
Take a Cruise
Going on a cruise can be an excellent way to combine sightseeing with packaged entertainment. Cruise ships specialize in offering something for everyone, so families with young children and teens can offer plenty of options to their families. Many cruise ships feature specialized entertainment, such as themed clubs and theater performances. Thrill-seekers can try out skydiving simulators, go zip lining and spend some time rock climbing. Other ships have planetariums and 4-D theaters.
Swimming pools, waterslides, mini-golf, and spas are also common features. One of the nice things about being on a cruise is having most of your expenses contained in a package price. Most ships also offer child care with structured activities for young children so you can have some time to relax while your kids have fun.
Explore the Art Scene
Build a stronger connection with your teenager or college-age child by supporting their interests. One ideal trip for an art major is a trip to New York City, where they can experience artistic performances. Take them to a Broadway show. Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sign your child up for some professional insight from an artist in their field or rent them studio time to cut an album.
Take in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on a trip to Cleveland or head to Motown to see the Motown Museum. Plan your vacation so that you can visit some of the most popular jazz clubs in the United States. Nashville is a great destination for those who love all kinds of music. Take in a concert and visit the Grand Ole Opry during your stay.
Plan a Literary Tour
Plan a vacation for the booklovers in your family. A trip to London, England, offers an opportunity to see where Charles Dickens lived or visit the sites Sherlock Holmes went to in his stories. Edinburgh is the UNESCO City of Literature because of its rich literary history. It is home to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and you can visit many sites referenced in Ian Rankin’s popular Inspector Rebus novels.
You can also plan a trip to the UK to coincide with Harrogate, an annual crime writing festival. If you’re staying in the US you can visit the Emily Dickinson Museum, the Mark Twain House and Museum, or William Faulkner’s house in Rowan Oak.
Explore Outdoors
Pigeon Forge is a great destination that offers something for everyone in the family. Nature lovers can explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and hike the Ramsey Cascades Trail or one of the other popular trails. Those who prefer horseback riding can saddle up instead. There are plenty of opportunities to dine out and enjoy local southern cuisine and the area offers some great shopping options for visitors as well. Thrill-seekers may prefer to go zip lining or take a trip by ATV.
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Pigeon Forge also offers go-karting and outdoor activity parks that will appeal to big and little kids alike. Want to cool off? Head to Pigeon Forge Snow, a winter amusement park that operates year-round. Pigeon Forge is only a few hours from Nashville, so you can also opt to add in a show at the Grand Ole Opry as part of your vacation.
Dip in the Water
Spending time at the beach can be both fun and relaxing. Many popular beach destinations offer a wide range of activities to keep everyone in the family happy. You can play mini-golf or head to a nearby golf course to shoot a round of golf. A beach vacation can be a great opportunity to learn to surf. Spend some time exploring the boardwalk shops and check out beachfront amusement park rides.
Fun in the water is still an option for those who are planning a winter getaway. Indoor water parks offer an escape from the winter cold. Resorts include access in your stay, so your accommodations and entertainment are bundled in the price. They offer swimming pools, hot tubs, waterslides and more to keep the kids busy all day long.
