Everyone looks forward to their annual family vacations, but sometimes you might get stuck and only visit the same old destinations every year. I’ve put together a list of some vacation spots you might want to consider for your next family trip.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina. Mysterious and haunting, these mountains are home to many species of wildlife including deer, wild turkey, grouse, bobwhite quail, and black bear to name a few. When to visit? Well, there really isn’t a bad time of year to visit this park. However, in the high season of July and August you will find that traffic can be a bit slow. Keep in mind that winter temperatures can range from moderately cold to extremely cold. There are plenty of hiking trails to explore and camp, and you can also bike, fish, ski, or ride horses. A truly beautiful place to visit.
Historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, site of the most famous battle of the Civil War and, of course, where President Lincoln delivered a two-minute speech, the famous Gettysburg Address. The summer months and weekends are peak times for this popular tourist destination. If you want to visit outside of peak hours, the crowds should thin out after Labor Day. Explore Gettysburg National Military Park and combine your visit with a trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts has a rugged and beautiful coastline with towns and farms dating back to colonial times. Many visitors to the Cape prefer to stay in one of the many charming bed and breakfast hotels. You’ll want to visit Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod National Seashore, and perhaps the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. Dining is wonderful if you love seafood, as you’ll find a wide variety of fresh seafood.
San Francisco, California is one of my favorite cities. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Strait, and the San Francisco Bay, this city is actually only about 46 square miles, but wow! If you’re wondering when to visit, you can’t go wrong when it comes to weather, as the weather is quite pleasant throughout the year. What to see here? Oh so much! The cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, Nob Hill, Sausalito, Union Square and too many amazing areas of this city to name are not to be missed. It’s a great city to explore on foot, and an absolutely wonderful place to people watch. Photo opportunity ahead.
Orlando, Florida, home to Disney World, of course. There is also Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Sea World and many water parks to enjoy. There’s also much more to Orlando besides theme parks, including numerous lakes, springs, museums, and historic areas. Depending on when you visit, you may find an arts or crafts festival.
These ideas for places to visit should help you plan your next family vacation.