Summer Isn't Over Yet: 8 Family-Friendly Trips There's Still Time For - Livability.com (2025)

Beat the back-to-school blues with these eight family-friendly getaways you can still book this summer.

By Cheryl Rodewig on July 18, 2024

Summer is calling, and it’s time to start creating family vacation memories you’ll treasure forever. But which trip to choose?

When planning for the whole family, you want something for everyone: laid-back chill and high-energy thrills, activities for the kids and entertainment for the adults.

These resorts strike just the right balance. They include some hidden gems (southern Indiana, a little-known Florida key and more!) plus family-friendly fun for all. Think splash pads, spa time, and lots of s’mores ’round the campfire.

So pack your bags and get ready for your family’s new favorite vacation spot.

1. Indulge at America’s First Resort

Hot Springs, Virginia

The Omni Homestead Resort has been welcoming pleasure-seekers since 1766. While it’s changed a bit since those pre-Revolutionary War days (including a $150 million restoration finished last year), the historic charm and spectacular setting in Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains continue to inspire.

While the resort is undeniably luxurious, it’s kid-friendly, too. There’s fine dining but also casual family fare. There’s a spa and championship golf along with water slides, wagon rides, mini golf and a 400-foot lazy river. Kids can sign up for Omni Junior Chefs or try their hand at fly fishing, kayaking and falconry. Yes, falconry.

Take advantage of the Cascades Gorge Hike, open to ages 4 and up. It covers 13 waterfalls in under two miles, plus tons of exciting nature facts to keep kids entertained.

2. Play in Acadia’s Backyard

Bar Harbor, Maine

When families come to check out Acadia National Park, they often check into Bar Harbor Inn. Why? It’s just a mile outside the park and a block from the sights and flavors of downtown Bar Harbor.

But it’s more than their primo waterfront location. They know how to treat families special. The restaurants have kids’ menus plus fun additions like pasta in the shape of lobster traps. On Tuesdays, there’s “Kids in the Bakeshop,” where future chefs make and decorate cookies. For summer, they have touch tanks for curious youngsters to meet sea cucumbers, crabs and more.

Acadia is an all-age destination, with some trails easy enough for toddlers, but on days you’re not at the park, spend it at the inn, hanging over the edge of the infinity pool and watching the lobster boats go by. Evenings are for s’mores by the firepit — and planning the next day’s adventure.

Duck Key, Florida

When visiting the Florida Keys, plenty of people head straight to the southernmost tip, but there’s a lot more here than Key West (around 800 keys in all actually). Pretend you’re on your own private island and visit Duck Key.

This tiny island about halfway down the Florida Keys is dominated by the 60-acre Hawks Cay Resort, and it’s a paradise for outdoor-loving families. We’re talking fishing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, biking, cruising, kayaking and even swimming with dolphins. Book a suite or a villa with 2-4 bedrooms so there’s room for the whole family.

Need a little adult time? Ages 5-12 can enjoy supervised activities with Coral Cay Activities & Adventure Club. They’ll have a blast hanging out with other kids, playing in the game room and splashing around at the pirate ship swimming pool. Meanwhile, you can hit up the spa or sip a key lime pie mojito at the tiki bar.

4. Relax in OBX

North Carolina

Speaking of a string of scenic islands that’s a summer vacation magnet, have you been to the Outer Banks? These islands off the coast of North Carolina and Southern Virginia combine the best of nature and history — this is where the Wright brothers first took flight, after all. Plus, your teen will appreciate visiting all the sites from Netflix’s Outer Banks.

It’s also a good pick for a laid-back family vacation. Check into the serene Sanderling Resort to cozy up in the rocking chairs on their verandah, bask in the waterfront views (every room has one), lounge by the pool or build sandcastles on the private beach. At night, you can gather at the campfire for s’mores and maybe a ghost story or two.

If all that sounds too tame, sign up for one of the excursions, which run the gamut from tours among wild horses to dune hang-gliding lessons.

5. Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Indiana

French Lick, Indiana

Two hours south of the state capital is Indiana’s best resort: 3,200 acres set in a national forest and featuring three hotels, one of which is a National Historic Landmark. French Lick Resort boasts two spas, three golf courses, four pools, 12 restaurants, a 24/7 casino and a rail trolley dating to 1903. For things to do, there’s bowling, badminton, archery, horseback riding and the list goes on. Needless to say, you won’t be bored.

Younger guests have their own special hangout at the Activities Center, where counselors supervise games and crafts, kind of like summer camp. On Friday and Saturday nights, there are also themed scavenger hunts and movies on the lawn.

Pro tip: Be sure to rent a surrey cart so you can cycle the trails together.

6. Splash Into an Indoor Water Park

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Plenty of hotels have a pool. Not many have a 50,000-square-foot water park, but Zehnder’s Splash Village delivers on its name. This indoor aquatic wonderland isn’t just for kids, either. Take the whole family on the six-story raft ride, play water basketball and volleyball, float the lazy river or zip down one of the many slides.

Waterpark passes are included with every stay, and when you want fun without putting on a swimsuit, there’s a sprawling arcade and movie nights in the whimsically decorated lobby.

You can dine on-site, but for at least one meal, take the free shuttle to Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth downtown. After a plate of schnitzel, stroll down Main Street to explore Michigan’s Little Bavaria. There’s a glockenspiel, gnome scavenger hunt, old-timey taffy and fudge shops, and an interactive show in a 74-foot figurinespiel that tells a highly entertaining story about cheese.

7. Kick Back in Margaritaville

Montgomery, Texas

From Nashville to New York, Las Vegas to Cape Cod, there are over 20 Margaritaville hotels in the U.S. where you can remind yourself it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. This summer, set your sights on Lake Conroe, a 21,000-acre lake just north of Houston.

At Margaritaville Lake Resort, there’s plenty of kid-friendly fun on-site, ranging from mini golf and arcade games to a train ride around the property and virtual reality snorkeling. The main attraction is the Jolly Mon Water Park, which has water slides, a splash pad, hot tubs and five swimming pools, including one just for tots. There’s even a private beach.

Pups are welcome, too. And during the summer, they have special events like Magic at Margaritaville, where magic and (clean) comedy take the stage on Saturday nights.

8. Live in a Treehouse

Stevenson, Washington

Imagine it. You’re surrounded by towering firs up in the tree canopy, but you’ve got all the essentials: kitchenette, Yeti cooler, board games and s’mores kit.

The treehouses at Skamania Lodge are a special place to unwind after spending the day hiking, zip-lining, ax-throwing or conquering the resort’s aerial adventure park (the ultimate family-bonding experience). Treehouses not your thing? Book one of the lodge suites.

The location on Columbia River Gorge is just about perfect. Be sure to visit nearby Multnomah Falls. Even if you’re toting a stroller, there’s a paved trail that makes this 620-foot stunner accessible to all.