Where should you and your family go next?
The Tripadvisor community weighs in.


There’s nothing inherently simple about planning a vacation. Add kids to the mix, and the list of stuff to consider balloons. But the first—and, some would argue, most important—question is: Where should you actually go?
There’s obviously no right way to answer that: One family’s dream trip is another family’s casual weekend getaway, one family’s Best. Trip. Ever. is another family’s Never. Again. But the Tripadvisor forums—with their anecdotes and perspectives from real parents—can help jump-start the planning. Below, we pull together lived tips about places to consider for your next family trip.
Editor’s note: The forum quotes in this article have been edited for clarity, length, and punctuation.

For babies and toddlers
The quick take:
Panicking about in-flight diaper changes? There's an upside to traveling with the littlest kids: “We flew with our 2-month-old from the Midwest to Boston. Let me tell you, that was the easiest flight we ever took with him as a child. He slept the whole way. Fast forward to our next flight: We had to walk with him up and down the aisle.”—@Middleoftheroad5
Here’s where to go:
Why Aruba is great for babies and toddlers:
The Caribbean island will allow you to do things on your own pace: “We visited Aruba when our daughter was almost two and loved it. We felt comfortable exploring on our own with a rental car and enjoyed the beautiful beaches and perfect weather.”—@NYTravelerBD

Real parent tips from real Aruba trips:
Proximity to the beach is everything.
“Our baby can't sleep when there are people around him or a bit of noise. We stay at La Cabana, which allows one of us to bring him right to the room when he is tired. My wife and I take turns soaking up the sun until he finishes his nap.”—@jmante2
Anchor your stay to spots with space.
“Each family has a large one-bedroom unit with a crib or pack ‘n’ play at the Divi Aruba Phoenix, making it easy for naps or just getting out of the sun for a while. There was also a big wading pool for small children.”—@arubaweek6
Why Italy is great for babies and toddlers:
Locals won’t be turned off by the presence of little ones: “Italians love babies. With a child that young, I think the only thing that matters is that you schedule your days well—like planning for naptime.”—@LuvGoin
Real parent tips from real Italy trips:
Some centuries-old cities are baby-friendly by nature.
“Bologna is a good choice: There are indoor things to see and many of the streets are arcaded, giving protection from the sun and rain.”—@Escape9876
A stroller in the cradle of civilization? It’s totally doable...
“Most of the monuments—including the Colosseum—have lifts. A stroller came in very handy while we were waiting to get in and allowed the kids to nap while we spent time sightseeing.”—@Pavitra_177
…but a baby carrier may help in Venice.
“The bridges and cobblestones make walking the place a nightmare with a stroller and you are likely to get exhausted if you carry your baby around all day.”—@travellingmagician

For elementary-schoolers
The quick take:
Get prepped for in-flight boredom, fidgetiness, or (worst of all) meltdowns: "Bring a few favorite toys from home, any sleep aids (a stuffed animal, a sound machine—you could even get an app on your phone), and a few new dollar-store toys that you can hand out on the plane."—@mt_marcy
Here’s where to go:
Why South Africa is great for elementary-schoolers:
It checks lots of boxes—and price points: “The culture, the natural beauty, wildlife. I absolutely recommend a game reserve or safari; there are options at all price points, but plenty of camps geared for families in the budget-to-mid-range.”—@Islandgrl

Real parent tips from real South Africa trips:
Even in a pricey destination, you can find ways to save.
“We’ve done three family road trips—use the lodging inside the national parks and do your own cooking to save money.”—@jnhdrac
Don’t be intimidated by renting a car.
“Minus the airfare, I have found self-driving in South Africa to be slightly cheaper than a similar trip in the American West.”—@jnhdrac
Observe local wildlife—a major draw for kids this age—safely.
“Garden Route Game Lodge is a private reserve: The animals are wild but contained within the property. Going on guided drives gave a lot more information compared to self-drives.”—@Kiwikl
Why Colorado is great for elementary-schoolers:
You'll be hard-pressed to find a bad view: “We took three weeks and toured Colorado once in a camper—and later took our kids for two weeks. It was one of the most relaxing and visually awesome trips we've ever taken.”—@KansasPVgal
Real parent tips from real Colorado trips:
Beyond the glitzy enclaves, there are real gems.
“Telluride is high in the mountains and is a drop-dead-gorgeous ski town that’s very expensive. Approximately 45 minutes away is Ouray; it’s not a ski town, so it will be much more low-key and less expensive.”—@endosunshine
Pick a home base with lots within range.
“Glenwood Springs is a nice stop. You can take a rafting trip on the Colorado River, which is just minutes from town. Kids will enjoy the adventure park up on the mountain, and you can take a soak in the Iron Mountain Hot Springs.”—@Tumbleweedandcactus
There are hiking trails for all ages and ability levels.
“Kids love the Alluvial Fan area with Horseshoe Falls—the easy trail is on one side of the road, but the area extends along both sides of Endovalley Road. You might want to have a towel and some flops or Crocs in the car; little ones (adults too) just can't resist finding some shallow areas to wade in.”—@fv1989

For tweens and teens
The quick take:
Once you’ve handled the “where,” you can let your kids help plan: “Hand over the research legwork to teens. They really like to feel that the adults in their lives view them as competent. Plus, they will be more engaged and less aloof.”—@CockleCove
Here’s where to go:
Why Glacier is great for tweens and teens:
Two words: fresh air. “Yellowstone, the Tetons, and the Black Hills are both great areas for younger kids… but Glacier is truly a hiking paradise. Teenaged children would enjoy that park the best.”—@519jeremiahz
Real parent tips from real Glacier trips:
Act quickly and book hotels early.
“If you try to book as soon as reservations open, the website will often crash. If you don't get what you want on opening day, check frequently for cancellations.”—@al_in_al
In the peak summer season, be prepared to wait.
“Shuttles in the park run about every 15 minutes. The trouble we have is not so much the initial shuttle ride but waiting in a long line when you’re ready to move on with hot and tired people and cranky kids."—@MaryEllenM27
Don’t feel like hiking the full trail? No worries.
“Get an early start. If your kids aren’t experienced hikers, even some of the trail is better than none, and the views are gorgeous.”—@Lojeslj
Why Iceland is great for tweens and teens:
There are tons of niche museums that will cover a wide range of interests. “Your children will enjoy the Whales of Iceland exhibition, the Saga Museum, Aurora House, or Volcano hours in Reykjavík as well as one of the geothermal city pools.”—@873KimT873

Real parent tips from real Iceland trips:
Don’t be afraid to stay in the middle of nowhere.
“We stayed in an amazing Airbnb in Selfoss, where we had the best view of the Northern Lights right from our porch.”—@479jenniferl
Balance city vibes with small-town charm.
“We did the South Coast and poked around Reykjavik. The small villages allowed everyone to free range, and the tempo was slower. Plus, the kids got to interact with locals.”—@Lojeslj

For college kids and beyond
The quick take:
With age comes more freedom—and new ways to bond once your kids reach adulthood: “They may want to add their own side trips from any convenient base. Or, you and your partner may want to escape them for a few days on your own.”—@mcpinder
Here's where to go:
Why France is great for grown kids:
The regional variety is staggering. “I can easily stay three or four weeks in the same region and never run out of things to visit. Each region feels like a little country within France with its own architecture, nature, regional dishes, nature, accent, and specificities.” —@plannerHaolic

Real parent tips from real France trips:
Pick a home base that encourages exploration.
“Nice is an ideal base for exploring that particular part of the Mediterranean with very easy day trips to Cannes and Antibes, and perhaps an overnight stay up in Menton.” —@mcpinder
Go for a house—or better yet, a villa.
“With the family, I would rent a villa with a pool. The more north and the earlier in the summer, consider a heated pool—there is a lot to choose from in France.” —@finlandtimo
Why Cancún is great for grown kids:
It's truly what you make of it. “If you like to shop, you can do so until you can't walk anymore. If you like to eat—well, don't get me started. And if you’re craving something different for a day, Isla Mujeres is just a 20-minute ferry-ride away.” —@ryvy99
Real parent tips from real Cancún trips:
Expand beyond the been-there-done-that stretches of sand.
“Check out Puerto Morelos—it’s less of a tourist trap with a lovely, chill town, nice beaches, and a coral reef. It’s about 30 minutes from Cancún and Playa.” —@Fractalcat
Learn the ins and outs of the seven-shaped ‘Hotel Zone’
“The beaches at the top of the ‘7’ have a few rocks, but the water will be calm. The stem of the ‘7’ is a gorgeous beach, but the water is tougher.” —@partygirl40
Get a head-start on the late risers who partied too hard.
“Unless there is a compelling reason to go to Chichén Itzá on Sunday: Don't. I was there once—not on a Sunday—at 8:00 a.m. and there was no line. Three people were ahead of me and behind me. Walking around without hordes of people is priceless.” —@CO_Pilot54

