A family getaway can mean a lot of different things. It might be the annual family spring break, parents and kids getting away for a week, grandparents coming along, two families traveling together, or a bigger family trip everyone has been talking about for years.
It can also be a high school senior trip, graduation celebration, spring break with older teens or college-age kids, or one of those trips where several families decide it would be more fun to go together.
Some families want a beach and a great pool. Others need enough going on to keep teenagers interested. Younger kids can completely change what makes a resort work, while older teens and college-age travelers may care more about activities, entertainment, excursions and having some independence.
Add grandparents or several families and things like room setup, walking distances, transportation and having enough choices for everyone can become just as important as the destination.
The goal isn't finding the vacation that looks best in a picture. It's finding the trip that works for the people actually going.
That's why I look at family vacations a little differently. The destination matters, but so do the ages going, what everyone wants to do, where you'll stay, how much running around you want, and whether the adults actually get to enjoy the vacation too.
Usually, it isn't about finding one place where everybody wants to do exactly the same thing. It's about finding a trip with enough of the right things for the people who are actually going.
Pools, splash areas, easy meals, shorter walking distances and simple logistics can matter a lot more than a long list of attractions.
Teens usually need more freedom and more to do. Water parks, activities, sports, excursions, entertainment and places to hang out can make a big difference.
A high school senior trip doesn't have to be one particular kind of vacation. A beach resort, cruise, Caribbean getaway, theme park trip or another shared experience can all work depending on the group.
Spring break looks different for every family. Younger kids, teenagers and college-age travelers may want completely different things, and the right destination can change depending on who's going.
The adults should get a vacation too. Good food, downtime, manageable walking, easy transportation and a comfortable place to stay can matter just as much as keeping the kids busy.
Everyone doesn't need the same room setup or the same schedule. A good group trip gives people enough freedom to split up, do their own thing and come back together.
The best family trips give everyone a little of what they came for without making the vacation feel like work.
There isn't one right kind of family trip. The best choice depends on who's going, how much everyone wants to do, how far you want to travel and what would make the vacation feel worth it.
Destin, Panama City Beach, Clearwater, St. Pete, Sarasota and Siesta Key can work well for families who want beach time without making the whole trip about a resort.
A good fit for families who want a beach trip with plenty of restaurants, attractions, mini golf, entertainment and things to do away from the water.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach can be a strong option for families looking for beaches, condos, a little more space and a trip that can feel easier than a large resort destination.
Theme park trips can work for younger kids, teenagers, multi-generation families and even senior trips when the group wants attractions, entertainment and a lot to do.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are good choices for cabins, larger families, several families traveling together and groups who want attractions, mountain scenery and more room to spread out.
Cruises can make it easier to keep different ages entertained in one trip. Pools, kids clubs, teen spaces, shows, food and different ports can give everyone something to look forward to.
All-inclusive resorts and beach destinations can be especially appealing for spring break, graduation trips and families who want most of the vacation in one place instead of driving around every day.
A senior trip could be a cruise, beach resort, Caribbean getaway, theme park vacation or something completely different. What matters is whether the trip fits the graduates and the families traveling with them.
Spring break can be a family beach week, cruise, resort stay, theme park trip or a getaway built around older teens and college-age travelers. The best fit changes a lot depending on who's going.
Sometimes the resort itself is the vacation. A large pool complex, water park, beach, kids and teen activities, food options and entertainment can make it possible to stay put and still keep everyone busy.
You don't have to know which type of trip is right yet. Sometimes comparing a few very different ideas is the easiest way to figure out what fits your family.
Sometimes you just need a comfortable place to sleep. Other times, where you stay becomes one of the best parts of the vacation.
Great pools, beaches, water parks, activities, food and entertainment in one place can make family trips — especially spring break — a lot easier.
More bedrooms, a kitchen and room to spread out can be a better fit for larger families, grandparents or several families traveling together.
Sometimes a little extra space or the right room arrangement is all it takes to make traveling with kids and teenagers much more comfortable.
For a senior trip, spring break or family getaway, a resort with enough to do can mean less driving, less planning and more time actually enjoying the trip.
A few examples worth knowing about: Atlantis Paradise Island, Baha Mar, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Hotel Xcaret México, Dreams Onyx Punta Cana and Great Wolf Lodge are very different from one another — but each is an example of a place where what is at the resort can be a big part of why a family chooses it.
A resort or destination can look great online and still be the wrong vacation for your family. These are some of the things I pay attention to when comparing options.
A complicated flight, long transfer or hours of driving can change how a trip feels — especially with younger kids or a larger group.
A beautiful resort doesn't help much if the younger kids have nothing to do or the teenagers are bored by the second day.
One hotel room may be fine for one family and miserable for another. Sometimes a suite, connecting rooms, condo or villa makes much more sense.
These can sound like small details until you're there every day. Food choices, pool space and the kind of beach you're expecting can matter a lot.
Some families love a lot going on. Others want to slow down. For spring break and senior trips especially, the right amount of activity can make a big difference.
Cheapest isn't always best, and spending more doesn't automatically make a trip better. I want to know what you're actually getting for the money.
Finding the right family vacation is often just as much about ruling out the wrong ones.
If one of these ideas sounds like it could work — or you're still not sure where to go — that's enough to get started. Tell me a little about the people going and what you're thinking, and I'll take it from there.
Start Planning My Family Getaway →