Did summer sneak up on you? It seems like we were putting away the last remnants of the holiday season, and then… BAM! The kids are out of school for summer break, and we didn’t plan a thing to do.
If you’re like me, and you didn’t plan a thing, don’t worry! We compiled a list of great last-minute getaway options for a fun summer the kids won’t soon forget.
Disney Cruise
It might be a little too hot to trek through the parks this time of year. But, if you are a Disney fan, you can take advantage of all the fun aboard Disney Cruise Line. Disney Cruise Line has itineraries through Summer 2023 on the Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy legacy ships, plus the brand-new Disney Wish! There are sailings to popular ports of call in the Greek Isles, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean.
The Disney Wish will homeport in Port Canaveral near Orlando for a series of three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Disney’s private island oasis, Castaway Cay. The Disney Wish will feature exciting new additions, including Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience and AquaMouse, a wild water adventure and first-ever Disney attraction at sea.
Beaches Resort- Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, and St Pete
Beaches Resorts offer an all-inclusive luxury vacation for families. The perfect family getaway is Beaches Resorts in Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, and St Pete! Situated on the most beautiful pristine white-sand beaches of the Caribbean, Beaches Resorts offer many exhilarating activities for kids of every age. Here, tots, teens, grandparents, and everyone can enjoy the most exceptional all-inclusive family vacations beneath the Caribbean sun!
Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya – Playa del Carmen, Mexico
The kid-friendly Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen (about 30 minutes from the international airport and a host of other Cancun family resorts) brings SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to life in a five-star all-inclusive resort setting where every room is a swim-up oceanfront suite.
Family vacation highlights at this resort include character breakfasts, live Nick-themed shows and entertainment, and a six-acre outdoor water park with slides, rides, and splash pads.
Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa – Oahu, Hawaii
On the island of Oahu in Hawaii, family vacations get a decidedly Disney spin at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, where the resort’s mostly all-inclusive rates include nightly bonfires, character experiences, live entertainment, walking tours, ukulele lessons, a kids’ clubs, and a game room—to say nothing of its many kid-friendly pools, lazy rivers, and splash pad. With its abundance of offerings and plenty of fun add-ons like luaus and paddle boarding, there’s a lot to recommend this Disney spot in Hawaii.
Yosemite, California
It’s not just that the roads offer a sort of national park autobahn experience for the lucky parent who drives, the spectacularly dizzying views of scenery of Half Dome and El Capitan and more for those who don’t, but that there are endless ways to explore the unique environments of Yosemite National Park. Here, family playtime looks like waterfall hikes in the valley, easy scrambles on big-fun Pothole Dome, swims and picnics at Dog Lake, mesmerizing meanders through the giant sequoias of Tuolumne Grove, and challenging day hikes deep into the woods and up to the top of 9,931-foot Clouds Rest. Believe us, there’s a ton more (and this Yosemite Guide details the best of them).
San Diego, California
San Diego is one of the best places in California to stick your feet in the sand while simultaneously having access to top-shelf urban adventures. Boasting year-round warm temperatures, the city offers 70 miles of dreamy coastline with options for everyone, but some that are especially great for families. At La Jolla Shores, tide pools and small, slow waves are great for little kids, while older ones will go bananas for surf lessons with Surf Diva. Wildlife lovers will want to see the seals and sea lions at Shell Beach. Of course, you can’t miss a visit to the San Diego Zoo, one of the best in the world with its giant pandas and safari park experience.
Among Balboa Park’s many museums, the new Comic Con Museum is a massive hit for all ages with playful pop culture exhibits and programs where kids can bring their favorite characters to life. And let’s talk about dining, because you’ve got it all for all ages, too. Being oceanfront is a must, grab a one to three-bedroom unit at the Shore House at The Del, Hotel Del Coronado’s new beach house hotel, each with indoor-outdoor lounge areas and fire pits. This resort looks really similar to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort 😉
There are so many different places to visit and we are here no matter where the summer wind takes you. So sit back, shoot us an email, and let Winds in the East Travel, LLC plan the perfect summer getaway for your family!