Great Deals on Family Friendly Trips
The pandemic took a toll on family gatherings. Vacations with grandparents and extended family were canceled or put on hold until health concerns eased and travel restrictions were lifted. Now, family vacations are booming. Nearly 60% of families said they haven’t taken a vacation in at least three years, according to a recent survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Chase IHG Rewards Credit Cards. But 70% are planning to take one within the next 18 months. If you’ve been waiting to gather the extended family for a special vacation, we found eight trips perfect for multigenerational families, with a wide range of price tags.
Visit a National Park
Exploring national parks is a great way to get your feet wet with a multigenerational vacation. National parks in the U.S. stretch from Denali National Park in Alaska to the Everglades in Florida, and from Acadia in Maine to Haleakala in Hawaii.
Nearly every national park, nearly every day, has free ranger-led programs. They include everything from arts and crafts and living history presentations to lessons in campfire cooking, musket fire, canoeing, paddling or snowshoeing, depending on the park and time of year. Families with young children can also take advantage of the junior ranger programs at almost every national park, which offer special activities geared toward children. Exploring the natural beauty and history of national parks lends itself to meaningful conversations—one reason multigenerational families enjoy them, says Kathy Kupper, of the National Park Service.
Of the 423 U.S. national parks, (typically about $15 to $30). All passes are good not only for the passholders but also for everyone traveling with them; you only need one pass per vehicle when visiting a park. Children younger than 15 are admitted free, and fourth graders get an , which grants them and, which grants access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, for $80 per year. If you’re 62 or older, you can also buy a for $80. and can get free lifetime passes.
