Bucket List Family Vacations [No Passport Needed]
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Teach Travel Discover is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program as well as other affiliate programs. These are designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you. Please see our Privacy Policy for more details.
There are only 18 summers with our children before they become adults. All the reason to sit down with your family and create the ultimate family vacation [no passport needed] bucket list. Now you may be thinking, “Where do we even start?” Well, I’m here to share a few vacation ideas that fun for those bucket-list family vacations.
Visit historic cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia
Looking to add some history and culture to your family vacation? Look no further than the historic cities of Boston, New York, and Philadelphia! With plenty of educational and entertaining activities for kids of all ages, these destinations offer a fun-filled adventure that will leave them begging for more. Explore the Freedom Trail in Boston, where you can walk in the footsteps of the founding fathers and visit landmarks such as the USS Constitution Museum.
Or head down to New York City and visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It is so rewarding to reflect on the experiences of our nation’s immigrants. In Philadelphia, don’t miss Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both signed. You can check out the top educational places to visit in Philadelphia here! With so much to see and do, a trip to these historic cities will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family!
Find Your Inner Country
Enjoy some good old-fashioned fun at a dude ranch. From horseback riding and fishing to water sports and camping, your family will enjoy a variety of activities to fill a full week of fun. Popular states for this type of vacation include Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado.
Go on a wild West adventure in Arizona
Yee-haw! There’s nothing quite like the thrill of the Wild West, especially when you can experience it with your little cowboys and cowgirls in tow. Arizona is the perfect destination for a family adventure, with its rugged terrain and rich history of cowboys, outlaws, and Wild West lore. From horseback riding and hiking through scenic canyons to exploring historic ghost towns and panning for gold, there’s something for every age and interest. And don’t forget to fuel up on some delicious cowboy grub, like brisket, beans, and biscuits.
Explore the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is the perfect place to embark on a breathtaking journey. With its stunning vistas and natural wonders, the Grand Canyon offers an unforgettable experience for both adults and kids. Whether you hike along the rim of the canyon or take a scenic helicopter tour, there are plenty of options to choose from. Don’t forget to pack your camera and capture the memories of your family’s trip to this iconic national park. With its awe-inspiring scenery and endless activities, the Grand Canyon is the ultimate destination for a family-friendly getaway.
Experience luxury camping at Yosemite National Park
Get ready to embark on an adventure like no other and experience luxury camping with your little ones at Yosemite National Park! Imagine waking up surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Yosemite’s natural wonders. If you are like me, you will enjoy it while still enjoying the comfort of a cozy bed and delicious breakfast. From hiking the iconic trails to exploring the park’s stunning waterfalls, your family will never run out of things to do.
Spend the day kayaking, fishing, or simply lounging by the river – the possibilities for outdoor fun are endless! And at night, relax under the stars while sitting around a toasty campfire and roasting s’mores. Luxury camping at Yosemite National Park with kids is an unforgettable experience that will bring your family closer together and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Take a road trip through America’s national parks-The Most Popular Bucket List Family Vacations
Nothing screams adventure quite like packing the car and embarking on a road trip through America’s national parks with your family. With over 60 national parks to choose from, each park has its own unique natural wonders to explore. From towering redwoods in California to the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, there’s something for everyone.
The kids will be in awe as they witness geysers spout at Yellowstone or spy on wildlife at Yosemite. The best part about a national park road trip is that it’s not just fun, it’s also educational. The Junior Ranger program at many parks will engage children in activities that help them learn about these national treasures while earning a badge to commemorate their experience. So, grab some snacks, turn on some tunes, and hit the open road for an unforgettable adventure.
Discover the underwater wonders of Florida’s Keys
12 theme parks can be enjoyed in Orlando, Florida. Of course, there are four popular parks of Walt Disney World. There is also the three parks of Universal Orlando. For families that love magic, imagination, adventure, and storytelling, this destination may have to be spread out over multiple visits to see them all!
But don’t just think of the mouse! Are you tired of routine family vacations? Do you want to take your kids on an adventure they’ll never forget? Head down to Florida’s Keys and explore the wonderland underwater! Florida’s Keys is home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States! It makes it a mecca for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.
But don’t let that intimidate you! Even non-swimmers can enjoy the underwater world with a glass-bottom boat tour. Your kids will marvel at the technicolor world of tropical fish, sea urchins, and turtles. Who knows, they might even spot a mermaid or two! So pack your sunscreen, grab the kids, and head down to the Keys for an adventure of a lifetime.
RV Cross Country
Pack up the family and hop in the RV. With so many great spots to stop and explore across the United States, an RV trip may be one of the best ways to fit the most destinations in one trip.
Cruise Alaska-Our Most Requested Bucket List Family Vacations
If you want stunning scenery, wildlife, and beautiful glaciers, look no further than Alaska. Cruising this destination takes the logistics out of packing up and going from place to place! More time to explore and less time with the hassle!
Hula by the Ocean
The islands of Hawaii are lush and stunning with so much culture and history. Explore active volcanos, learn to surf, attend a luau, and lay on the beach. You can do all without a passport!
Before You Start Planning for Bucket List Family Vacations…read this part!
There are so many benefits to escaping everyday life with the ones you love – quality time, trying new things, exploring new foods – just to name a few. But how do you ensure your vacation is one the whole family will enjoy when there are so many things to consider? Flights. Resort. Transportation. Activities. Interests. Ages. Abilities. Time of year. The list goes on and it can be overwhelming! Well, I’m about to reveal the single thing that can help your family vacation go off without a hitch and have everyone looking forward to the next one …
A travel agent!
Yes – a single person can help make your dream vacation a reality. But how?
- Expertise: Travel agents stay up to date with destination news and events. Time is spent learning about and researching the destinations they serve so that they can help guide their clients to the destinations that fit their needs best. This means that they can be sure that grandpa gets the rest and relaxation he wants while the grandkids have plenty of activities to keep them busy.
- Emergencies: Whether a flight gets canceled, or the world shuts down due to a pandemic, your travel agent will know what to do and be able to assist you with changes. This sometimes includes spending hours on the phone with airlines and vendors making the changes necessary to save your investment and trip.
- Extras: They know what activities are available that your family would love and will make you aware of these for you to enhance your trip.
Some More Reasons to Use a Travel Agent for Your Bucket List Family Vacations!
- Savings: The American Society of Travel Agents published a study that shared that on average clients save $452 per vacation. That is some great spending money for your trip! This may come in the form of finding discounts through price monitoring or helping you to avoid costly mistakes during the booking and planning process. Either way, they bring monetary value to your vacation investment!
- Convenience: Your travel agent will be your single point of contact. If you have a question, need something changed, or need to make a payment, you can go directly to them to take care of it for you. This gives you more time to pack and dream about your trip and less time searching for confirmation numbers and on hold with the vacation vendors!
So why stress over how you are going to find the best resort that fits everyone’s needs and hours on the phone or on booking engines when you can lean on a professional? If you want your vacation to be one that everyone enjoys, there’s no question… look to your travel agent to get the job done!
Let’s Plan Bucket List Family Vacations!
What an amazing experience a Bucket List Vacation can be! Not only do you have the opportunity to make lifetime memories, but you’ll even have the chance to check off a few items from your actual bucket list. Seeing old national monuments and visiting historic sites can be incredibly eye-opening. There are so many wonders of the United States for us to explore – the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, or going on a safari at Yellowstone. Wherever you go, I’m certain it will be an adventure!
And if you’re still unsure what destination you want to venture to, feel free to contact me today. With over 15 years of working as a travel advisor, I’m here to help guide and answer any questions or concerns. Plus I am so passionate about helping make families dreams come true with their vacations!
