Cool places to vacation with kids
Summer is fast approaching for many folks in the Northern Hemisphere where I live. As a father of four beautiful kids, I’m always thinking about how to keep my kids engaged and entertained while on vacation. It’s challenging enough trying to do that in your own town. You need a genuine guide in deciding where to go and what to do when traveling with children. Thankfully, we are blessed with many cool places to vacation with kids . With that said, here are the best towns for vacations with kids for those wanting to travel.
There’s a lot of hype about family vacations. They’re supposed to be the best vacations ever; by some definitions, they’re supposed to be relaxing, even therapeutic. You need to find a cool place to vacation with your kids and take advantage of these well-advertised benefits.
If you’re looking for a vacation that will leave your kids begging to go back again, here are some cool places to vacation with kids.
Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and boasts many activities for families. You can rent jet skis and kayaks, go parasailing or wakeboarding, or take a boat tour of the lake. There’s also plenty to do around campfires at night—but don’t forget your marshmallows!
Maui, Hawaii
Maui is popular among tourists because of its stunning beaches and lush greenery. The temps are usually mild enough that swimming isn’t an issue even during winter months, but bring your sunscreen just in case! There are plenty of activities for both adults and children alike—from snorkeling trips to hiking trails where you can see native wildlife like whales or dolphins in their natural habitat (depending on where exactly you’re staying). If you have allergies though, be careful because there are several types of plants that grow here that may cause allergic reactions such as hives or swelling if touched by bare skin.
1. Places to go with kids in Maribor, Slovenia
Slovenia is a small but brilliant country, especially for places to go with kids. Rent a car and head north from the capital to Maribor, a compact city that’s just a stone’s throw from active entertainment for all ages.
There’s canoeing on the river Drava in summer and skiing in the nearby resort of Pohorje in winter. In spring, try the resort’s single-track toboggan run that hurtles down the ski slopes at up to 30mph.
What to do in Slovenia
Try a half-day rafting tour on the Soča River. It’s a thrilling adventure for the whole family and and kids can learn about the sport of rafting from experienced local guides.
Spend a day at Canyon Učja, the biggest zipline park in Europe. Fearless teens will love flying on the 250 to 600 meters long ziplines which rise to 200 meters above the canyon of the river Učja.
Tailor-made trips in Slovenia
Plan and book family breaks with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Slovenia. Take a look at sample itineraries like Treasures of Slovenia and use the details to create a personal itinerary for you and your kids.
Where to stay
For nature stays: Chateau Ramšak – Vineyard Glamping Resort
For apartment stays: Hotel Maribor, City Apartments
For winter stays: Luxury Apartments Bolf
Find more accommodation options in Maribor
2. Reserva Monteverde, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a world leader in eco and adventure tourism, with Monteverde as a prime example. About half of this protected area is conserved as the Bosque Eternal de los Niños (“Children’s Eternal Forest”), a huge stretch of lush cloudforest, rainforest and montane evergreen forest threaded with trails and full of wildlife-spotting opportunities.
As you’d expect, there are plenty of outdoor activities: hiking, camping, zip lines, canopy tours and horse riding. Nearby Monteverde Cloudforest Biological Reserve offers yet more pristine forests and adventure activities, while Reserva Santa Elena even has pushchair-friendly trails.
What to do in Monteverde
Let kids explore the lush Monteverde cloudforest with a ride on the Sky Tram and an unforgettable hike over the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges. Stop to spot monkeys and other rare animals, then gaze out over the beautiful Nicoya Gulf.
Try the Mega Mix Adventure Tour in Monteverde for its combination of ziplines, high rope courses, rappelling and jungle swings. This is another experience which includes stunning views of the Nicoya Gulf, but this one ends with a typical Costa Rican lunch.
Tailor-made trips in Costa Rica
See sloths, toucans, monkeys and more on Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Costa Rica. Take a look at sample itineraries like Beaches and Volcanoes and Tropical Costa Rica and use them to personalise your own itinerary.
Where to stay
For B&B stays: Camino Verde B&B Monteverde
For nature stays: Chira Glamping Monteverde
For luxury stays: Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Find more accommodation options in Monteverde
3. Bali & the Gili Islands, Indonesia
Bali has an enchanting Hindu culture and jaw-dropping tropical landscapes which will leave any family spellbound. But there’s also no shortage of fun activities to keep kids interested, from Ubud’s monkey forest and shadow puppet shows to waterfall swimming at Gitgit and dolphin-watching off Bali’s north shore.
When it’s time for tranquillity, the idyllic Gili islands are a short boat ride away. With white sands and still waters, Gili Air is the perfect place to enjoy the irresistibly slow pace of island life, although the turtle hatchery at Gili Meno is also worth a day trip.
What to do in Bali
Let kids learn to surf on Kuta beach, one of the best beaches in Bali. Fully qualified instructors are English speaking and surfing lessons last for two hours and include pick up from local hotels.
Sail from Lombok and find out why Gili Nanggu is called Paradise Island on a full day private snorkelling tour which also includes visits to the islands of Gili Sudak and Gili Kedis.
Tailor-made trips in Bali
Discover Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Bali. Take a look at itineraries like Rest and Relaxation in Bali and Lombok and use them to personalise the ideal family trip for your kids.
Where to stay
For Ubud stays: Mehrudani Boutique Hotel
For Gili Air stays: Manta Dive Gili Air Resort
For Gili Meno stays: Kura Kura Resort
Find more accommodation options in Bali
4. Family activities in Havana, Cuba
Beyond experiencing the faded grandeur of this exciting city, Havana has a host of places to go with kids.
A tour of the planetarium walks you around four floors of rooms, charting a journey through the cosmos, from the Big Bang (represented by a light and sound display) onwards. Or try Parque Almendares. As well as being a welcome expanse of greenery, it’s also a perfect picnic spot and offers rowing on the river and crazy golf.
Tailor-made trips in Cuba
Plan and book a family trip with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Cuba. Have a look at our sample itineraries, like the active family adventure or a family, beach and culture trip, then personalise the details to suit your own family.
Where to stay
For family stays: Ocean Breeze and Suites
For beach stays: Casa Giraldilla
For budget stays: La AKDmia Cuba
Find more accommodation options in Havana
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5. Places to go with kids in Rosario, Argentina
While Argentina isn’t too well known as a family destination, it has a lot to recommend it. The food is delicious and kids will particularly appreciate the traditional heladerías, or ice cream parlours. There’s also a stunning variety of landscapes and outdoor activities and the wildlife-spotting is second to none.
If you want to venture away from Buenos Aires, Rosario makes a good base. Not only does it have child-focused attractions like the Jardin de los Niños and the Museo de los Niños, but you can head out on river tours or rent a car and work your way north to the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls.
What to do in Argentina
Give your kids the incredible experience of the full force of Iguazu Falls on a boat tour of Gran Aventura before going on an adventure through the surrounding jungle in a 4×4.
Alternatively, go guided horseback riding in the Puerto Iguazú jungle, tour the historic missionary country, then pay a visit to the local Guaraní community.
Tailor-made trips in Argentina
Think about planning a family holiday with Rough Guides Tailor Made Trips to Argentina. Have a look at sample itineraries like Magical Patagonia and Buenos Aires for inspiration, then create your own family trip.
Where to stay
For city center stays: Holiday Inn Rosario
For value stays: Roberta Rosa de Fontana Suites
For luxury stays: Esplendor by Wyndham Savoy
Find more accommodation options in Rosario
6. Movie magic in North Island, New Zealand
New Zealand is top of the most beautiful countries in the world 2022, as voted by you. And while the country’s North Island might not have snowcapped mountains, it doesn’t skimp when it comes to dramatic scenery.
Kids will be enthralled by the sulphur stink at Rotorua, the tiny living lights in the glowworm caves of Waitomo and the bubbling pools at Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula. If you hire a motorhome you can explore at your own pace.
These days it’s impossible to separate New Zealand from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and young fans will love the hobbit holes at Hobbiton, as well as Wellington’s Weta Workshop, the centre of New Zealand’s film industry, where kids can learn all about prop building and prosthetics.
What to do in North Island
Experience the magic of a guided Hobbiton Movie Set tour. Immerse yourself in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of the Shire as featured in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies.
Explore the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a 45-minute guided tour. Glide by boat and marvel at the sight of magical glowworms above you.
Tailor-made trips in New Zealand
Plan and book a family trip with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to New Zealand. Have a look at our sample itineraries, like a self-drive trip to Auckland, then personalise the details to fit your own family.
Where to stay
For Rotorua stays: Prince’s Gate Hotel
For Waitomo stays: Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge
For Wellington stays: Oaks Wellington Hotel
Find more accommodation options in North Island
7. Fun family holidays in San Ignacio, Belize
Belize is one of the best of the world’s smallest countries and one of the safest and easiest in Central America countries to explore with children. Apart from its colourful marine life and beautiful beaches, its malaria-free rainforest interior Belize provides tropical excitement.
At Caves Branch Jungle Lodge near San Ignacio you can float downriver in an inner tube through luxuriant forests full of cheeky spider monkeys and squawking toucans, then wake up to a dawn chorus of chirping cicadas.
What to do in San Ignacio
Take a half-day canoeing tour with kids. Drive through a Mennonite community to the remnants of an ancient Mayan civilization then explore the cool watery underground caverns of Barton Creek by canoe.
Spend a half-day tubing in San Ignacio. Enjoy a cool swim in the refreshing waters of a natural pool, formed between cave entrances, before floating downstream to relax as you learn about Mayan culture and see stunning cave formations.
Tailor-made trips in Belize
Think about planning a family holiday with Rough Guides Tailor Made Trips to Belize. Have a look at sample itineraries like highlights of Guatemala and Belize for inspiration, then create your own family trip.
Where to stay
For nature stays: Hidden Valley Inn & Reserve
For central stays: San Ignacio Resort Hotel
For luxury stays: The Lodge at Chaa Creek