The Ultimate Family Vacation Spots with Activities for All Age Groups

Family vacation: the term might sound like an oxymoron, yet thanks to increasingly well-rounded resorts, it’s never been easier to take a trip the entire family will never forget. A tried-and-true secret? Search for all-inclusives that give children their own space to adventure, says Beth O'Donnell, general manager of Thomson Family Adventures. Whether your idea of bliss involves a kids-free spa date in the south or an afternoon spent horseback riding in the Caribbean, these winter getaways will help your toddlers and young adults alike make new memories. And some are even as budget-friendly as a road trip, but with way more space for everyone to roam.

Rooms from $199 in the Coral Towers.

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Beloved by families for a reason, this iconic resort in the Bahamas is a hit for all-ages because of its jam-packed menu of activities, plus a Kids Concierge. There are LEGO- and Wizardology-themed spaces for the tots while teens can unwind at CRUSH nightclub with a Gaming Stadium, live DJS, and air hockey tables. Take advantage of the outdoor location with the 141-acre water park, which includes marine life encounters, slides, river rides, and snorkeling, plus 11 pools (three for kids!) spread across the property. Numerous kid-friendly restaurants like Carmine’s Italian and ice cream at Sun & Ice round out the delights.

Rooms from $309, SoundWaves package $429 per night for a family of four.

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Located in the heart of Nashville, this sprawling resort complex has plenty for kids and adults to do. Your steps from iconic highlights like the Grand Ol’ Opry and close to Ryman Auditorium and a quick ride away from the heart of downtown Nashville—but for families wanting to hunker down on property, that’s possible, too. The resort features SoundWaves, an upscale four-acre indoor/outdoor water attraction including a lazy river, an activity pool complete with a rock wall and basketball hoops, kids splash pad, a multi-level water play structure for all ages, private cabanas, and numerous tubing paths and slides with lights and music for an over-the-top experience. There’s also a spa, nine acres of gardens and waterfalls, and 18 dining options on property, with special menus and activities for kids.

Rooms from $172 per night all-inclusive.

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An all-inclusive located directly on the beach in the heart of Cancun, kids can enjoy the Pirate splash park (complete with a life-sized pirate ship), enjoy the on-site turtle farm to learn about conservation, and take guacamole-making classes at the kids and teen clubs. For adults, there’s the Aura Spa, 13 food and beverage options, and nightly activities like karaoke. Rooms are spacious—family suites offer bunk and trundle beds—and include balconies, many with ocean views.

Suites from $413.

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At the only all-suite resort in the Adirondacks, families will delight at the bevy of amenities offered by beautiful Whiteface Lodge. Close to Lake Placid—a former winter Olympics village—the Forbes Four-Star resort is equally spectacular year ‘round. In the summer, there’s tennis, arts & crafts, s’mores around the firepit, rental boats, paddle boating, canoes, kayaks, and catch-and-release fishing at the lake, while during the winter, guests can enjoy ice skating, relax at the 8,000 square-foot-spa, or dip in the indoor-outdoor pool, heated year-round. There’s also a kids club, a bowling alley, games room, ice cream parlor, and movie theater. Suites include Jacuzzis, dining-areas, and full kitchen.

Rooms from $70.

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An easy drive from Washington D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, the Shenandoah Valley’s Massanutten Resort’s 6,000 mountain acres are heaven for active families. Highlights include an indoor/outdoor waterpark, a Family Adventure Park including rock climbing and ziplining, a petting zoo, an equestrian center, escape rooms, two 18-hole golf courses, a game room, a playground, a putting green, and seasonal activities like skiing, tubing, and ice skating. There are also twelve restaurants, guaranteeing choice for picky eaters, plus a nightclub for after the littles go to sleep.

Rooms from $585 per night.

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On South Carolina’s tony Kiawah Island—a master planned community of property owners 21 miles south of Charleston—sits The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, an oceanfront Forbes Five-Star Resort and one of the most sublimely family-friendly destinations. Offering Kamp Kiawah, with tailored programs for kids from 3 to 18, the days feel lazier and longer here. Opportunities abound to connect with nature—boating Charleston Harbor, getting up close with dolphins in Kiawah River, going on alligator safaris, bird-watching—while there’s also family golf and tennis clinics, dive-in movie nights at the pool, a popular oyster roast and BBQ with live music, s’mores, face-painting and arts-and-crafts.

Rooms from $450.

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With more sun than any other Caribbean island, Aruba is an ideal choice for a family getaway, and this 12-acre waterfront resort provides plenty of beachy fun. While the Palm Beach location and 8,000 square-foot, three-level pool complex are unbeatable—including a two-story waterslide and swim-up pool bar—there’s also a Camp Hyatt for kids with a game room, a casino, and ZoiA Spa. For nature lovers, a visit to nearby Butterfly Farm, with tropical butterflies from around the planet, is a must, while the resort also offers adventures like horseback riding, kite surfing, and diving lessons through Red Sail Sports, plus ten dining options.

Rates from $329.

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Just north of Jacksonville, this beachfront country club-style resort features 36 holes of golf, 15 tennis courts, several pools (including a family pool with an extensive zero-entry splash pad area), cycling, standup paddle-boarding, and ocean kayaks. It also contains one of North Florida's largest spas and a fitness center with over 100 weekly classes. At the kids' camp, programming is numerous: events include a Lucky Charms-themed PJ party, a spring break camp, a Lion King-themed movie afternoon, and a pizza party with dessert-making. Older kids can also enroll in Junior Lifeguard Camp.

Rates begin at $153.

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A collection of massive indoor waterpark resorts with 16 locations around the country—including Anaheim, Atlanta, Colorado Springs, Chicago, and Boston—Great Wolf Lodge is kid-friendly aquatic nirvana. Water is kept at 84 degrees, with slides, pools, body surfing, tube rides, a wave pool, and lazy river. There’s also dry fun to be had, including character breakfasts, PJ parties, laser tag, bowling, and mini golf, while special family suites feature bunk beds. Picky eaters can relax: there’s a nut-free kitchen and allergy-friendly menus at the multiple restaurants, including a pizza spot, wood-fired grill, and poolside grill.

Rates begin at $169.

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Orlando’s best-kept secret, the all-suite, 106-acre lakefront property is only three miles from Disney World, offering an incredible experience—plus complimentary shuttles—at a fraction of the price. (Some rooms even have views of the Disney fireworks.) For non-Disney days, start with the six acre Surfari water park—complimentary and exclusive to guests—offering three swimming pools, two tube slides, a kids’ activity pool, dual-ride surf zone, and a lazy river. The resort just debuted a new 7,000-square-foot Flip Flop Family Fun Center, including glow-in-the-dark mini golf, virtual reality, and 65 arcade and video games. The Lake Austin Pier also provides kayaks, swan paddle boats, and fishing. There are six restaurants to choose from with picky eaters in mind, plus an onsite market, while the suites offer full kitchens, washers and dryers. And for parents’ downtime, there’s a full-service spa.

Rates begin at $604.

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Trust us: this spot offers one of the greatest kids' clubs in the history of kids' clubs. At 5,200 square feet, the activity-packed, complimentary Auntie's Beach House is open every day from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., making it easy to ignore Aulani’s prime 21-acre beachfront location in Oahu’s Ko Olina (but don’t.) Here are some favorites: a quiet lagoon for paddleboarding, swimming, numerous waterslides, and a lu’au called Ka’Wa’A. There’s also a nearby golf course, spa, and all the character breakfasts, Moana meet-‘n-greets, and Disney magic your littles could dream of. It’s Disney, aloha-style.

Rates begin at $595.

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This 10,000-acre ranch just outside the Dutch village of Solvang offers a summer camp-like arrangement of activities, from horseback riding to archery, zip-lining, fishing, and an obstacle course. Be sure to stop by the petting zoo and barnyard with daily egg gathering, an arts and crafts room, and corral for children under seven to enjoy pony rides. Bonus for parents: the resort is in the middle of Santa Barbara wine country, with numerous wineries and tasting rooms nearby.

Rates begin at $97.

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Set on 18 lakefront acres in Michigan, this idyllic resort is located on charming, car-free Mackinac Island, which feels like stepping back in time and where horse-and-buggies are regular modes of transportation. Families can explore more than 70 miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as ride horses, take a workshop with a kite master, try croquet and bocce ball, play 18-hole putt-putt, or compete at the video game arcade. Evenings are spent relaxing on the Adirondack chairs on the waterfront great lawn, picnic basket in tow.

Rates begin at $221.

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This might finally be the place that gets everyone off their phone. Featuring a mile of private beach, five swimming pools, Moke beach cruisers, and a marine center with water activities (think: scuba diving and sunset cruises), the 24-acre resort is sprinkled with tiki huts, firepits, hammocks, and a beachside grill. A perk? All rooms have views of the Atlantic.

Rates begin at $527.

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This Swiss family utopia is located an hour outside Zurich in the outdoorsy Heidiland region—so named after the iconic children’s character. Beloved for its thermal spa waters, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz doesn’t just cater to adults but goes out of its way to pamper and delight children, too. Kids of all ages can play at the Kindervilla kids club, a massive three-story cottage with games, crafts, toys, books, nature excursions, and baking sessions. The resort also features a marquee 1,800-foot children’s spa—yes, really—with heated water, a slide, zero-entry wading, and swimming classes. Skiing, hiking—and, for adults, wine-tasting—are all minutes away.

Rates from $489.

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Sitting atop 110 acres of a private peninsula, this locale offers families the choice of Ralph Lauren-designed rooms in the preppy main inn, or spacious private villas with staff. There are two kids' clubs for children of various ages, and adults can enjoy the spa, tennis courts, and an infinity pool where villa-owner Ralph Lauren is regularly spotted with his family. Bonus: Royal aficionados will be thrilled to know that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stayed here together before their wedding.

Rates begin at $239.

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Located about an hour outside of San Diego, the adult and kids sleeping areas at this Lego-packed hotel and theme park are separated for comfort (and kid-friendly fun). By day, choose between pool time or early access to the connected Legoland park. At night, kids can burn off steam at DJ-fueled dance parties.

Rates begin at $189.

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A supremely family-friendly, 3,000-acre mountain resort beloved by both parents and kids, Pennsylvania’s Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is the perfect marriage of luxury (it’s a Forbes Five-Star property) and affordable (special post-Easter introductory rooms can be found from $189). While skiing is popular in winter, the spring and summer seasons at Nemacolin are equally enjoyable, with five pools, zip lining, animal safaris, off-roading, rock climbing, ropes courses (separate ones for kids and adults), disc golf, and quick-jumping on offer. There’s also a full gymnasium—complete with trampolines, balance beams, uneven bars, and vault—along with an arcade, carnival, and two kids' clubs for both infants and those between 4 and 15.

Rates begin at $349.

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Unlike many Miami hotels, this resort offers a bevy of amenities to entice families to stay. (Pets are welcome, too!) Located directly on the beach, its Loews Loves Families program features a spate of daily activities at the brand-new SoBe Kids Club, including an indoor lifeguard hut, craft area, video games, pizza-making classes, scavenger hunts, and evening programs on Friday and Saturday nights. There’s a zero-entry pool, ideal for babies and toddlers, with nearby soda machines and special kids' menus, as well as youth programming for all ages and a partnership with nearby Jungle Island. The weekend Family Happy Hour offers cocktails for parents and lawn toys for kids, while there's also a Teen Scene Social Hour. Oh, and the hotel has a program called Leave It to Loews, which allows families to request everything from toys to baby bathtubs, night lights, and DVD players.

Rates begin at $1,050.

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This undeniably pricey slice of paradise includes all the perks you’d expect from a Four Seasons resort: five-star service, exquisite ocean views, and even a Nobu location. Still, it manages to be supremely family-friendly. You can hike, snorkel, try archery, and go horseback riding. There’s also a complimentary Kids For All Seasons Program with everything from arts and crafts to tide pool exploration and lei-making. Little ones can expect complimentary smoothies and popsicles by the family pool, or request bags of fish food to feed the koi.

Rates begin at $359.

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Located on 23 acres on Maui’s Ma’anapali Beach, this sprawling destination recently completed a huge renovation in time for the 60th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood. Families can expect treats such as beachside s’mores, complimentary ukulele lessons, shallow-wading pools for kids, and special kids' menus (plus, kids under 12 eat free). There’s also the Shaka Shack children's area, with free hula lessons, lei making, and a fire knife demo. Maui Ocean Center has opened its first off-site location here, and family rooms feature amenities like pull-down wall beds.

Rates begin at $1,549.

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Turn to Disney for perfectly-curated VIP-style trips across the globe, each led by "Adventure Guides" that know how to keep children engaged. Select from over 30 trips across six continents, with itineraries that explores major European cities like Rome, London, and Paris, or historic U.S. locations like the Grand Canyon.

Rates begin at $270.

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Situated in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs’s Broadmoor might be America’s longest-running Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort, but manages to feel low-key and down-to-earth. Activities are plentiful: there's hiking, canoeing, zip-lining, paddle-boarding, horseback riding, three golf courses, a kids' tennis camps, and three pools (including an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool with waterslides). In addition to 10 restaurants, there’s also a family dining and activity center, complete with bowling, a pool table, shuffle board, a virtual BEAM playground machine, and a variety of video games.

Rates begin at $324.

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After getting their mini robes and slippers at check-in, children will love Monarch Beach Kids—a games-, crafts-, and activity-packed kids' club for those between 5 and 12. There’s also an Ocean Institute Program that allows youngsters to get up close with tide pool animals and create marine art. Meanwhile, parents will feel settled thanks to an 18-hole golf course, tennis, a Miraval Life in Balance Spa, Deborah Lippman nail salon, and a Drybar. Three pools and a splash pad complete the equation.

Rates begin at $575.

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Getting to this eastern part of Maui is half the adventure: guests must either take a helicopter or traverse the infamously twisty 64-mile long Road to Hana, a scenic and legendary drive with numerous kid-friendly stops along the way. At the resort, which offers a summer camp feel with upscale cabins dotting the beachfront green, amenities include swimming, tennis, horseback riding, stand-up paddling. Sign up for Hawaiian cultural activities such as lei-making, hula lessons, spear- and throw-net fishing, as well as a tour of Hana Bay on an outrigger canoe.

Rates begin at $319.

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Known as the Del, this Victorian red-roofed resort has delighted families of all sizes since the 1880s. The main pool is kept at 70 degrees year-round and offers water toys for children. Holiday-specific programming is available. For example, Easter weekend calls for a champagne brunch followed by an egg hunt and run-in with chicks, sheep, and goats at a petting zoo.

Rates begin at $283.

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You'll forget you're only minutes from downtown Miami thanks to this resort's white beaches and the lush gardens surrounding the property. The 12-acre resort has two swimming pools (including one just for families), a large tennis center, and a luxurious spa. Its Ritz Kids program—which partners with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society—gives pint-size travelers the opportunity to learn about the environment through fun, educational activities.

Rates begin at $315.

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The indoor kids' club at this AAA Five Diamond all-inclusive resort offers Spanish lessons, baking, sand castle building, and a Alebrijes painting workshop inspired by Disney's Coco. The teens' club is set up for karaoke and video games, and family members of all ages can participate in spa treatments and family photo shoots. Parents of infants can breathe a little easier thanks to a baby concierge service.

Rates begin at $499.

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Everything is bigger at the 40-acre beachfront Grand Wailea: there’s a 25,700-square-foot Wailea Canyon activity pool with four pools, five slides, six waterfalls, and three Jacuzzis. Take note of the 20,000-square-foot kids' club, called The Rock, and check out the 50,000-square-foot spa. Kids five and under eat free breakfast at the Grand Dining Room Maui and dinner at the Polynesian restaurant, Humuhumu.