With the COVID vaccine available to younger children, parents who’ve stayed close to home are planning a family vacation in 2022.
Just as adults have missed traveling to new and exciting destinations, kids have missed those opportunities, too. And just like adults, they have their bucket list of places they’d like to visit.
One way to make this first family trip in a long time extra special is to involve your children in the planning process by incorporating their interests. Maybe there’s a topic that’s sparked their curiosity, whether it’s something they’ve read about, watched on TV, or learned about in school.
If your children love dinosaurs, a family trip to Chicago can include visiting the Field Museum, home to Sue, the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton ever discovered. At the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., kids who are fascinated by planes and spaceflight will find everything from vintage aircraft to the spacesuit that Neil Armstrong wore on the moon. Philadelphia, home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted, is a great place to explore American history.
Your kids’ favorite books and movies can also be sources of travel inspiration. In Springfield, Massachusetts, about 90 minutes west of Boston, The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum pays tribute to the beloved children’s author and his memorable characters. Springfield is also home to the Basketball Hall of Fame. A trip to New York City can include seeing “The Lion King” or “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway. On Canada’s Prince Edward Island, you can visit locations that inspired “Anne of Green Gables.” This summer, a musical based on the books returns to the island’s Charlottetown Festival.
If your family enjoys spending time at the beach, the Caribbean offers many choices for a vacation with sand, sunshine, and children’s activities. The Bahamas is home to the Aquaventure Water Park, with high-speed slides, a mile-long river ride, and multiple swimming pools. You can also introduce your children to the Bahamas’ rich history and culture at spots like the Pirates of Nassau Museum and the Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre.
Florida’s theme parks are a popular destination for families, and there’s always something new to try out.
Disney World will open Guardians of the Galaxy this summer: Cosmic Rewind. It’ll be the park’s first reverse-launch roller coaster, propelling riders backward into space and rotating 360 degrees. Disney unveils Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser in the spring, a two-night immersive adventure that includes a stay in a Star Wars-themed luxury hotel. SeaWorld’s new Ice Breaker roller coaster promises a thrilling ride beginning February. Also, in February, a new theme park based on the animated series “Peppa Pig” opens next to Legoland in Winter Haven, Florida, 45 minutes from Orlando.
For help navigating any travel plans, contact your travel advisor or connect with one of our independent Travel Pros through worldvia.com.