10 Family Vacation Ideas to Create Memories of a Lifetime

If you and your family are ready to go for a long-awaited vacation, then chances are you might want to go to a place that’s unique and has enough activities to keep everyone entertained.

If you are out of ideas or you feel a bit overwhelmed, not knowing where to start, then don’t worry because we have your back.

Keep reading as we unveil some unique vacation ideas to create memories of a lifetime with your beloved family, that might haven’t crossed your mind!

Without further ado, let’s dive into it!

1) Explore The Magical World of Disneyland

Whether you’re young or young at heart, Disneyland is a great vacation spot for families, and there’s no shortage of fun activities to enjoy with your kids.

There’s a wide range of delightful experiences you can have such as:

  • Classic Attractions, like the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle
  • Fantasyland and Adventureland to embark on thrilling adventures like Indiana Jones Adventure.
  • Tomorrowland to explore the future with attractions like Space Mountain
  • Character meet-and-greets
  • Dining options to savor delicious treats and meals inspired by Disney movies
  • Parades and live shows that bring Disney stories to life

Actually, there are different Disneylands, or castle parks, around the world in cities like California, Florida, Paris, and Tokyo and thus you can choose whichever suits you best.

If you choose to visit the Disneyland theme park in California, bear in mind that it’s usually open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (although operating hours might vary) and a standard theme park ticket starts at $96/day.

2) Opt For a Legoland Park Adventure With Your Kids

Legoland has parks in different destinations worldwide such as in Billund (Denmark), New York, Japan, Windsor, and Korea.

Each park offers a unique LEGO experience with rides, and theme shows, suitable for kids who want to build memories and explore unique adventures to unleash their creativity.

While there is no age restriction, parks are specifically designed for families with kids aged 2 -12 years old.

If you opt for the Windsor Legoland park adventure you should expect the following prices for online booking:

  • Adult (16+): £35.0
  • Child (90cm – 15 Years): £35.00
  • Children under 90cm go free

Regarding the operating hours, they are subject to change due to seasonality.

3) Have A Blast at The San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is a zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, and houses 4,000 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies.

Be sure that your little ones are going to love this immersive experience.

Operating hours: Every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Price for 1-Day Pass ticket:

  • Ages 12+: $72
  • Ages 3-11: $62

Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027, United States

4) Plan an Educational Tour to The British Museum

Combine learning with fun by opting for an educational tour with your kids to the British Museum in London.

The British Museum is a public museum and one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive museums dedicated to human history, art, and culture.

Opening times:

It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Fridays when it is open from 10 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Address: The British Museum, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom

5) Attend the Rio de Janeiro Carnival With Your Kids

Planning your vacation around a festival or celebration is an end-to-end cultural experience.

The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is considered the biggest carnival in the world, with two million people on the streets daily.

The parades at the Sambadrome are the main attraction of the entire celebration.

While the carnival ended quite recently for 2024, the upcoming dates for the Carnival in Brazil are 28 February-5 March 2026.

6) Enjoy the Breathtaking Wilderness of Denali National Park

Immerse your family in the breathtaking wilderness of Denali National Park in Alaska, start exploring rugged landscapes, and take in the awe-inspiring views of wildlife.

Some activities you can enjoy with your family are:

  • Cross-country skiing
  • Winter biking
  • Snowshoeing

Denali charges an entrance pass of $15.00.

However, children aged 15 or younger are free to enter.

Operating hours from January 3 – April 15, 2024:

Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Address: Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, United States

7) Plan a London Eye River Cruise

The London Eye, or the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London.

If you want to enjoy the vacation of a lifetime with your kids, then planning a London Eye River Cruise should definitely be on your travel bucket list.

On your cruise, you should expect a 40-minute cruise through the heart of the city along the River Thames, a bar on board with a wide range of refreshments and expert commentary provided by professional guides on board.

Prices start from £14.00 per adult.

Operating hours: Daily from 10:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom

8) Observe the Galaxies at Hayden Planetarium

Hayden Planetarium is considered to be one of the top attractions in New York.

It is part of the American Museum of Natural History and is situated in Central Park in New York City.

What makes it unique, apart from its distinct sphere-like structure and the stargazing opportunities, is the wide range of camps and educator professional learning seminars, so that kids can dive deeper into astrophysics and explore their curiosity about the universe.

Price:

  • Adult: $28
  • Child Admission: (Ages 3-12): $16
  • Ages 60+: $22

Operating hours: Daily from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Address: 200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024, United States

9) Have Fun at Sesame Place

Sesame Place is a delightful family-friendly theme park inspired by the children’s TV show Sesame Street.

Essentially, it’s a place where beloved characters come to life, and kids can cherish and immerse themselves in a world of fun and laughter.

The original Sesame Place is located in Philadelphia and the second Sesame Place is situated in San Diego.

Families can enjoy a variety of family-friendly shows, and parades and meet iconic Sesame Street characters like Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster.

Schedules are updated periodically and prices for a single-day ticket are starting at $33.99.

Address: 100 Sesame Rd, Langhorne, PA 19047, United States

10) Search For Dinosaur Footprints at Dinosaur Valley State Park

One thing is for sure; you can never go wrong when it comes to dinosaurs.

During your time at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas, you can find dinosaur tracks, camp, picnic, hike, mountain bike, swim, paddle in the river, etc.

Be sure your kids will love searching for dinosaur footprints and embark on new adventures.

Operating hours:

The gate opens daily from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Prices:

  • Adult: $8
  • Child 12 years and under: free

Address: 1629 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043

Let’s wrap things up with some final words.

In a Nutshell

Traveling is an exhilarating experience that provides us with memories of a lifetime.

Our family vacation ideas will hopefully aid you in making the destination-choosing process smoother and more tailored to your needs.

To make the most of it and live your family trip to the fullest, make sure to store your belongings somewhere safe.

So, before you decide to move forward with the trip, go find a location to store your luggage with Stasher, and you’ll never have to stress about the safety of your luggage and other valuable items ever again.