Vacation With Grandparents
Vacationing with grandparents can be an adventure in itself! Not only will you be able to spend time with family, but also have a chance to learn a few things as well. Whether you’re traveling abroad, or for leisurely sightseeing, there is always something to learn about yourself and the world you live in. If you’re vacationing with your adult children but want some time alone, consider taking a vacation with your grandchildren. There are only so many hours in the day and it’s never too late to further your relationships with those that hold a special place in your heart.
If you’re not sure what to bring on vacation, here’s a list of things that grandparents would appreciate getting.
Vacation time is always a time of excitement and worry. Will the kids have fun? How will they do without us? What if they break something or one of them becomes ill? These are all things that go through our heads when we leave on vacation. But those same questions also go through our grandparents head as they head off to watch the grandchildren begin their summer vacation.
12 Best Places to Travel with Grandparents
Whether you’ve got something to celebrate or the grandparents are paying (wink, wink), these vacation destinations around the country have something for travelers both young and old.
Florida
Cocoa Beach, Florida
If there’s one thing that can wow all generations, it’s space travel. Your mission: Spend a day at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where kids can touch a real piece of the moon, hold rocket-building materials, and crawl through a replica space station. The grandparents will also want to take a #humblebrag pic of everyone next to the Atlantis Space Shuttle, ride the launchpad bus tour, and even treat your whole crew to a meal with an astronaut. And, yes, rockets still blast off from here about once a month. (Check the launch schedule at kennedyspacecenter.com to see if your travel dates match up.)
Once you’ve had your space journey, your fam can move on to beach walks and lunch at the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, or take a guided kayak tour at the Brevard Zoo (you can paddle right through the water exhibits!). Stay at a local Airbnb or book a four-bedroom suite at the just-renovated Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort, which will wow your swimmers with an on-site water park.
St. Augustine, Florida
Drop your bags in a condo rental (they’re plentiful), then head out to explore the oldest city in the U.S. The area pleases both history-loving grandparents and fun-obsessed kiddos with a focus on pirates. Explore the Castillo de San Marcos fort that was constructed to ward off foes, and check out the old city gates built to protect local residents from invasion.
Vacation With Grandparents
There’s also the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, where guides will entertain the grandparents with area trivia while kids get to fire a cannon, steer a replica ship on the main deck, and grab a treasure map to help them find hidden artifacts throughout the exhibits.
Sanibel Island, Florida
Head out to the water’s edge at low tide with your buckets in hand to search for this area’s biggest draw: shells! Hundreds of species of ocean treasures wash up daily on the island’s curving stretch of beaches along the Gulf. (Learn more about where they come from and how to find the most-coveted ones with an all-ages Discover Shelling tour at the Sanibel Sea School.)
If you have a bird-watcher in your group (shout-out to Gramps), the 6,400-acre J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge should be your next stop. Hike the easy Indigo Trail and go to the Wildlife Education Boardwalk, where kids can mix and match animal markings or help the adults spot wading fowl and shorebirds from the observation deck. Stay beachside in one of the Island Inn’s just-renovated cottages, which sleep six to 12 guests.
“We love the cottages because there’s plenty of room for downtime and family gatherings,” says Courtney Whitt, of Bellbrook, Ohio, who visits every year with a big crew of kids, siblings, and grandparents. “We enjoy spending loads of time cooking out, swimming, kayaking, shelling, and having nightly competitive Uno tournaments.” (Yup, those cottages are stocked with everything you need for all that.)
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
This laid-back, classic beach town just south of Daytona is great for a family that wants to hang out together on the sand. But it’s also cool and different: You can rent fat-tire bikes and go riding by the breakers or visit JB’s Fish Camp Seafood Restaurant for blue crab and fry baskets while you spot dolphins and manatees right from your table.
Grandparents can also get a little of their own R&R with a visit to the Atlantic Center of the Arts or a stroll around downtown galleries. Book two connecting suites (one for you, one for the grandparents) at the new Springhill Suites by Marriott. Your extended fam will score super-affordable oceanfront digs and free buffet breakfast.
South
Williamsburg, Virginia
There is just something about pretending you’re in another era while you stroll past cobblestone streets, horsedrawn carriages, and costumed interpreters at Colonial Williamsburg that’s enthralling for kids, parents, and grandparents alike.
“This was one of the best trips we’ve done,” raves mom Lyla Gleason, of New York City, who recently visited there with her daughter, husband, and mother-in-law. “History is a great way for kids to bond with adults. There were so many fun activities, like visiting with the blacksmith and watching the Fife and Drum march.”
Just as important as the history (at least if you ask the kids) is visiting Busch Gardens theme park. “Grandma took a day to explore Colonial Williamsburg on her own when we went there,” adds Gleason. After long days on your feet, head back to Kingsmill Resort, which offers affordable three-bedroom suites with a full kitchen.
Port Aransas, Texas
Drive over the causeway or take a ferry to Mustang Island and head to a pastel-hued rental home in the oceanfront Cinnamon Shore enclave.
“The community has everything you need right there,” says Melissa Navarro, of Belton, Texas, who visits with extended family every summer. “There are restaurants, live music, and s’mores making. Plus, you can rent golf carts or beach-cruiser bikes and be on the beach in minutes.”
But don’t expect to lounge around by the waves: Sand-castle building isn’t just for the kids. The area hosts Texas SandFest, the largest native-sand sculpture competition in the country, each April. No matter when you visit, book a private castle-making lesson from the Sandcastle Guy (sandrum.com), who will put your whole family’s building skills to the test.
Memphis, Tennessee
This city is catching up with Nashville as Tennessee’s “It” destination, and offers multigenerational fun in spades. Have the grands cue up their favorite Elvis tunes on your way to Graceland, where your kids can climb onboard the star’s custom jet after you all tour the inside of the mansion. The Memphis Zoo is one of only four in the U.S. that has giant pandas, so you know you’re going to spend a while there.
Another good stop is the Children’s Museum of Memphis, which features indoor rock climbing and a little-kid water table. If you’re up for something really memorable, stay at the pyramid-shaped Big Cypress Lodge inside the iconic Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. Its 103-room hotel boasts alligator ponds (a glass wall protects visitors), an ocean-themed bowling alley, and observation decks with spectacular views.
Isle of Palms, South Carolina
About 30 minutes from downtown Charleston, families can relax at the sprawling beachfront oasis that is Wild Dunes Resort. “
We originally wanted to go to Charleston, but Wild Dunes was the best of both worlds,” says Kristen McElhaney, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, who visited with her son, husband, and parents. “It’s close enough to the city but gave us so much more space to stay as a family.”
The lodging options include hotel rooms, condos, and rental homes. There’s even a golf program; kids can tee off for free alongside grandparents.