With the COVID vaccine now available to younger children, many parents who’ve stayed close to home for the past couple of years are planning a family vacation in 2022.
Just as adults have missed traveling to new and exciting destinations, kids have missed those opportunities, too. And just like adults, they have their bucket list of places they’d like to visit.
One way to make this first family trip in a long time extra special is to involve your children in the planning process by incorporating their interests. Maybe there’s a topic that’s sparked their curiosity, whether it’s something they’ve read about, watched on TV or learned about in school.
If your children love dinosaurs, a family trip to Chicago can include a visit to the Field Museum, home to Sue, the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton ever discovered. At the National Air and Space Museum, in Washington, D.C., kids who are fascinated by planes and spaceflight will find everything from vintage aircraft to the spacesuit that Neil Armstrong wore on the moon. Philadelphia, home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted, is a great place to explore American history.
Your kids’ favorite books and movies can also be sources of travel inspiration. In Springfield, Massachusetts, about 90 minutes west of Boston, The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum pays tribute to the beloved children’s author and his memorable characters. Springfield is also home to the Basketball Hall of Fame. A trip to New York City can include seeing “The Lion King” or “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway. On Canada’s Prince Edward Island, you can visit locations that inspired “Anne of Green Gables.” This summer, a musical based on the books returns to the island’s Charlottetown Festival.
If your family enjoys spending time at the beach, the Caribbean offers lots of choices for a vacation with sand, sunshine and children’s activities. The Bahamas is home to the Aquaventure Water Park, with high-speed slides, a mile-long river ride and multiple swimming pools. You can also introduce your children to the Bahamas’ rich history and culture at spots like the Pirates of Nassau Museum and the Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre. Let’s not forget about cruising! Great for families, you can set sail to many different islands and countries. A cheap getaway can be found on Margaritaville at Sea, just $600 for a cabin and if you book a Norwegian Cruise with The Jet Set, we give you $200 to spend onboard, free!
Florida’s theme parks are a popular destination for families, and there’s always something new to try out.
Now open, Disney World’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. It’s be the park’s first reverse-launch roller coaster, propelling riders backward into space, and rotating 360 degrees. Disney unveiled Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, a two-night immersive adventure that includes a stay in a Star Wars-themed luxury hotel. SeaWorld’s new Ice Breaker roller coaster promises a thrilling ride beginning in February. Also in February, a new theme park based on the animated series “Peppa Pig” opens next to Legoland in Winter Haven, Florida, 45 minutes from Orlando.
