12 Family Summer Vacation Ideas

With the nickname of “America's Finest City”, choosing to spend your family summer vacation in San Diego, CA is one of the best decisions you'll ever gonna make. With more than 70 miles of beautiful coastline, San Diego offers bountiful gorgeous beaches that are some of the best you’ll find in the US.

Aside from the beach, you can spend your summer touring the area and hitting popular attractions including San Diego’s zoo & safari park, theme parks, Museums at Balboa Park, Birch Aquarium and the list goes on. 

If your family loves the beach, then the Outer Banks in NC is the perfect place to visit this summer. Summer in the Outer Banks brings warm weather, sunny skies, and plenty of fun-filled water activities. 

With 100 miles of beaches lining the coast of the Outer Banks, you can spend your days relaxing by the shore or playing water sports like surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more! 

You can also book a guided family boat ride where they’ll take you fishing, shelling, snorkeling and so much more! As for accommodations, you have a wide range of options. From Hotels & motels to vacation rentals that are perfect for large families and groups.

You can book RV Parks in the Outer Banks close to the region’s beautiful barrier islands and top attractions.

Summertime is one of the best times to explore Pigeon Forge. This popular town in Tennessee has so much to offer for families looking for fun activities and attractions in summer.

From world-class theme parks and mountain coasters to waterslides and go-karts, Pigeon Forge has you covered. Here are some family fun activities to enjoy in Pigeon Forge in Summer:

• Ride an alpine coaster
• Cool off at pools and waterparks
• Celebrate summer at Dollywood
• Catch kid-friendly shows and entertainment  
• Beat the heat at the Outdoor Gravity Park
• And more!

Summer is such a great time to visit Disney World in Florida. The kids are on vacation and the park's hours stretch way into the night. With almost everything on the property designed to be kid-friendly, visitors of all ages are sure to have fun.

Visiting the park means you get to enjoy all of its 4 theme parks, stay cool at water parks, and have lots of options for dining and shopping.

But you should know that Florida can be hot, humid, and with the addition of crazy crowds, so make sure you prepare and pack accordingly.

For the quintessential beach experience, a family vacation trip to Myrtle Beach in summer is absolutely one of the best. There is so much to see and do in the area for family members of all ages.

The 60-mile stretch of shore invites families to bask in the sun, play in the sand, enjoy watersports or swim in the warm Atlantic ocean until it's time to get ready for a night out with the family. Myrtle Beach has some amazing restaurants, so make sure to explore the area for some amazing dishes.

Another excellent town to visit in Tennessee in the summer is Gatlinburg. Being one of the most popular gateways in the Great Smoky Mountains National park, Gatlinburg has plenty of lodging, restaurants, and tourist attractions near the park. 

Hit any of the park’s 800+ miles of hiking trails and discover historical settlements, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking views along its path.

Don’t worry if you have kids because there are a number of easy hikes in the Smoky Mountains that are perfect for the kids. 

Other things to enjoy in the Gatlinburg area in Summer are: 

• Whitewater rafting

• Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community
• Stroll through Downtown Gatlinburg

• Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales
• Booking a cabin with pool & scenic views
• Gatlinburg’s farmers market

If there’s a perfect time to plan a family vacation in the Yellowstone National Park, it would most certainly be in the summer. The months of July & August offer some of the most scenic views of the national park. The snow has melted, along with flourishing wildlife and trails are open for hiking.

Summer is the best season for viewing the magnificent colors of the hydrothermal features and offers the perfect weather to enjoy outdoor activities with family.  

Visiting Grand Canyon National Park is great any time of year but there’s something about the summer that makes a trip to this geological wonder so much special.

After hiking the trails of the Grand Canyon South Rim, visitors will be treated to amazing scenic landscapes that are simply breathtaking.

Helicopter tours are also being offered for those who want to have a birds' eye view of the beauty of the Grand canyon. Although these tours are often a bit pricey, they are well worth it and provide your family with unforgettable memories.

It's summertime and that means Washington, D.C. is alive and kickin’. With long days and plenty of sunshine, this popular family destination is just waiting to be explored.

Aside from being a global political powerhouse and educational center, Washington D.C brings new opportunities for fun things to do around the city and beyond.

Check out some of the best museums in the country including the Smithsonian museums and the National Mall. Explore Washington’s pleasant neighborhoods and a dining scene filled with Michelin-approved restaurants.

Williamsburg, VA is a fun and historic destination that is perfect for your next family vacation in summer. From historical attractions and theme parks to seasonal activities and the great outdoors, there is so much to see and do in the area. Here are some of the top things to do in Williamsburg with the family this season:

• Visit Busch Gardens for family-fun entertainment, thrilling thrilling rides, and more!
• Travel back in time and visit Colonial Williamsburg
• Explore Jamestown Settlement
• Dine on the Waterfront
• Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum

Summer in Jackson Hole means longer daylight hours and fantastic weather that offers endless opportunities for family fun. From June through early September, Jackson Hole offers a variety of activities and adventures throughout the valley and in Grand Teton National Park.

Breathe in the fresh mountain air as you hike with the family, go camping, biking, horseback riding, or whitewater rafting. Enjoy scenic drives along the many miles of roads that lead up to some of the most amazing views.

There’s nothing quite like a family summer vacation in Chicago! This amazing city offers some of the best lakeside beaches, street fairs, live music festivals, and events to keep the whole family busy. And aside from that, Chicago also has one of the finest culinary scenes in the country.

You can also take a cruise of Lake Michigan on a super-fast speed boat or attend a summer festival. For a more laid-back time in the city, visit The Chicago Riverwalk for some boat watching. Many spots in the city are perfect for family picnics like the Oz Park and Art Institute of Chicago’s South Garden.