There’s nothing quite like bringing multiple generations of family together in one place. Make your next vacation an unforgettable family reunion with a multigenerational family trip. These are some of the best multigenerational vacation ideas great for families large and small. Each trip offers a variety of activities suitable for all ages to please every member of your extended family, from young kids to grandparents. After all, you’ll need to accommodate the unique needs of every family member for a safe and unforgettable multigenerational vacation.
Dude Ranches
One of the best ways to spend a multigenerational vacation is on a dude ranch. You’ll love the wholesome themed activities everyone can do together. Bond over horseback riding, mountain biking, or a leisurely hike. Leave the kids with dude ranch staff to enjoy age-appropriate activities and the chance to make new friends or connect with their siblings. Parents and grandparents can then spend their free time enjoying one another’s company and reconnecting in the great outdoors. Take advantage of adults-only activities such as a round of golf, river rafting, or a morning at the spa.
Most locations have first aid on site, with some all-inclusive ranches offering basic medical services. Ask ranch officials about how strenuous some activities like horseback riding are ahead of time to determine if they are right for you. Work with a group travel advisor to find itineraries suitable for every generation of your family and make sure to include downtime!
Rocking Horse Ranch Resort is an all-inclusive dude ranch with incredible amenities, including an indoor water park and nightly entertainment for all ages. Mountain Sky is one of the oldest dude ranches in the Midwest. It’s home to a golf course and miles of mountain trails traversable by foot, bike, or horseback.
All Inclusive Resorts
All-inclusive resorts offer something for everyone on multigenerational trips. Resorts are an all-in-one combination of amenities made even more satisfying in exclusive or far-flung destinations within tropical islands or mountain peaks.
No matter which destination you choose, all-inclusive resorts offer accommodations, activities, meals, and other perks with just one booking. Satisfy everyone’s travel desires with a luxurious all-inclusive beach resort experience set in the remarkable beauty of the wider Caribbean in these great locations:
Dominican Republic
The small Caribbean nation hosts over a dozen franchise and boutique resort experiences, all offering families the opportunity to reconnect while soaking up the tropical sun. Surround your extended family with the Dominican’s stunning nature including calm, crystal clear Caribbean waters and seemingly endless stretches of pristine white sand. Your whole family will feel spoiled for choice, with a list of activities meant to indulge, pamper, and relax. Get exclusive access to massive swimming pools complete with waterslides for kids and walk-up bars for the adults. Spend your evenings seeing kid-friendly shows or take advantage of resort childcare services and dance the night away in resort ballrooms or Dominican clubs.
Jamaica
Prepare your family for a multigenerational vacation they are sure to remember with a trip to Jamaica. Regarded as one of the more affordable resort destinations, Jamaica never skimps on family fun. For upscale acclamations, try a private villa on the water and wake up elevated—literally and figuratively—just feet from the water’s surface. These ultra-plush digs can also come with a chef who prepares meals for your family and a handful of other guests. Popular activities on Jamaican vacations include snorkeling, glass-bottom boat rides, and lounging on quiet private or public beaches.
Cruises
Modern cruises are a complete multigenerational family vacation experience with something for every family member. Younger children and grandparents can find their happy places—together and separately—aboard a cruise ship that’s equal parts luxury and family fun.
The cruise industry offers more value and more options than ever. Not only are they cruises, but they are floating theaters, casinos, dance clubs, and even amusement parks, in some cases boasting full-sized rides like water slides and roller coasters. These floating cities contain just about everything family members could need, with access to basic medical services and personal products making cruises suitable for family members with a variety of needs.
Cruises provide a lot of flexibility in how you spend your multigenerational family vacation, with what activities you choose, the length of your cruise vacation, and how much you’ll spend to have the experience you want. Popular cruises range from extended itineraries with stops in destinations like Alaska and Hawaii, to condensed voyages in tropical hotspots like the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos.
Amusement Parks
If it’s the excitement of a theme park adventure your family craves, with rides that speed, twirl, and soak, choose from several unforgettable theme parks around the US.
Disney Theme Parks
Disney’s theme parks include Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and Disneyland in Anaheim, California. These unofficial “capitals” of multigenerational family fun on the US’s east and west coasts are beloved worldwide.
Disney theme parks don’t only foster thrill and nostalgia by bringing some of childhood’s most iconic characters to life but each park has expanded to be more immersive and inclusive. In addition to a plethora of kids-themed activities, Disney is home to near-endless rides, thrills, and attractions designed for adults and older kids. Entire sections of the park consist of immersive worlds based on some of the world’s most beloved stories including Star Wars-based rides and attractions all contained within the sprawling Orlando complex.
Disney properties offer an array of resort and hotel options, for families large and small, unmatched in both their amenities and the comfort they provide. Disney resort accommodations include provisions and attractions on resort grounds including restaurants, retail, and family-friendly activities.
Universal Studios
Disney isn’t the only amusement park suitable for multigenerational vacation travel. Universal boasts its own unforgettable theme parks and lodgings sure to delight and captivate guests young and old. Rides feature superheroes, nature, and spooky themes found only at Universal Studios properties! Dive into the enthralling Wizarding World of Harry Potter to experience the fanciful and mysterious Harry Potter novels and films come to life! Even if your older kids aren’t as into the characters, Universal Studios rides are as thrilling as you’ll find anywhere.
Stay at a resort within park grounds to get maximum time in the park. Plus, it makes taking midday breaks from otherwise non-stop fun simple and convenient. Appeal to everyone with Universal’s great restaurant and shopping options!
National Parks
Bond over nature’s timeless beauty and discover why the US’s national park system is admired the world over with this multigenerational vacation idea. National parks not only feature incredible natural attractions including magnificent landscapes and fascinating wildlife encounters but offer lodging options attractive to every generation that allow you to enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing comfort! Popular parts of many national parks are accessible to families with connected networks of well-maintained, paved walkways with excellent views.
Yellowstone National Park
Since being declared a national park in 1872, Yellowstone has been a retreat for multigenerational families seeking to connect in the splendor of the great outdoors. Yellowstone is one of those destinations everyone should visit at least once but you’ll probably need multiple visits to see it all. Yellowstone is home to dozens of wildlife species and elegant natural landscapes—such as towering waterfalls, snow-peaked mountains, and evergreen forests—perfect for sightseeing hikes with family!
Grand Canyon National Park
This classic road trip destination is as awe-inspiring as ever! The great outdoors helps to remind families to take breaks from devices and digital spaces to enjoy their real life connection to one another!
Every generation of your family will enjoy learning about the Canyon’s natural and human heritage while seeing this magnificent testament to Earth’s awesome capacity for change up close. With some planning, the Grand Canyon can be kid-friendly, with less strenuous sightseeing itineraries on safe and accessible hiking paths designed for families. The National Park Service even offers a Junior Ranger program, where kids get access to kid friendly activities hosted in national parks nationwide, including Grand Canyon National Park! They’ll create lifelong memories by taking part in efforts to educate on the value of the national park system and how to best take care of it for future generations.
