Top 8 Family Vacations in America

Family-friendly resorts provide a multitude of options so that parents can entertain their kids, relax with their spouses, and enjoy the fabulous North American outdoors. We've left no stone unturned as we unearthed these amazing resorts filled with off-the-chart family fun. Let the games begin!

By: Valerie Conners

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Edmunds Dana / Perspectives / Getty Images

Photo By: Ron Garnett / Getty Images

Photo By: Mrs. Gemstone via Flickr Creative Commons 2.0

Photo By: Kingsmill Resort

Photo By: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Photo By: Mitchell Funk / The Image Bank / Getty Images

Photo By: Walter Bibikow / Getty Images

Photo By: Out'n'about Treesort

Photo By: Gary Caviness / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Photo By: Scott Markewitz / Getty Images

Photo By: By NoraCaselinGomez (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Photo By: La Costa Resort and Spa

Photo By: By Micha L. Rieser (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Photo By: By BestofWDW from USA [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Hilton Waikoloa Village (Hawaii)

In Hawaii, the Hilton Waikoloa Village promises endless activity and unprecedented luxury. Parents hoping to find a child-friendly haven can sign their tykes up for Club Keiki. During its day and night camps, kids can feed koi and swans, hunt for treasure and explore tide pools.

Hilton Waikoloa Village

The resort's tropical gardens, saltwater lagoons and two golf courses are tempting, but the most popular retreat is Dolphin Quest. It provides guests with a variety of interactive dolphin programs, including training adventures, a family experience and kids' quest. Meanwhile, at Waikoloa's 4-acre lagoon, water lovers can schedule kayak trips, snorkel sails and seasonal whale-watching tours. After dark, attend the Legends of Hawaii luau to experience traditional island dancing and music, as well as a buffet dinner.

Kingsmill Resort (Virginia)

Stretching over 3,000 acres of Virginia wilderness, Kingsmill Resort boasts its own long list of recreational activities, as well as close proximity to the fun found in nearby Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. Active families can enjoy the resort's two 18-hole golf courses, 15 tennis courts and Sports Club, which features indoor and outdoor pools, exercise classes, personal trainers and a billiards and game room.

Kingsmill Resort

Stop by the concierge desk for special Junior Guest registration, and children will receive a Kids' Fun Pack introducing them to the resort. The kids' camp is the perfect opportunity for 5- to 12-year-olds to play tennis and golf, swim, fish, have theme days and make arts and crafts. Don't forget to sign little ones up for Kids' Night Out, a pizza and game party that allows parents to have a romantic date night at one of the four signature restaurants on-site.

Tanque Verde Ranch (Arizona)

The 640-acre Tanque Verde Ranch is a serene oasis nestled in the Sonoran Desert, near Saguaro National Park. With more than 120 horses, it's no surprise that this dude ranch offers ample riding opportunities. Specialty options available include breakfast rides (with a meal at the Old Homestead), six-hour-long day rides, and picnic rides with lunch in Cottonwood Grove. Newcomers can take riding lessons at a variety of levels.

Tanque Verde Ranch

Naturalist guides offer hikes through the desert wilds, exploring canyons, cacti and even secret waterfalls. The popular kids' program offers little cowpokes (ages 4-12) the chance to "ride 'em cowboy!" Children are divided into three age groups — the Buckaroos, Wranglers and Outlaws — and treated to riding lessons, tennis, swimming and arts and crafts.

Circus Circus (Las Vegas)

The biggest permanent big top in the world can be found rising in all its colorful glory in Las Vegas. More than 3.5 million people a year stop by to experience the live entertainment and whimsy that Circus Circus has to offer. The resort lies on 70 acres of land, and with nearly 3,800 rooms, it's the fifth-largest resort-casino in Vegas.

Circus Circus

"Oohs" and "ahhs" fill the air every half-hour as performers engage in airborne stunts on the resort's center stage. Surrounding the stage is the Midway, an enormous carnival filled with 200 games and wandering clowns. Possibly the world's biggest funhouse, the indoor Adventuredome theme park continues the excitement with more than 20 rides, plus miniature golf and laser tag.

Out 'n' About Treesort (Oregon)

Nestled into treetops and branches is one of the world's most unusual bed-and-breakfasts. This high-in-the-sky treehouse resort proves that trees aren't just for the birds. Fifteen treehouses, which sleep anywhere from two to eight people, make up the "treesort" (but because of legal issues, not all 15 are available for overnight lodging).

Out 'n' About Treesort

Guests climb stairs, ladders, even a 90-foot-long suspension bridge. At the Swiss Family Complex, a swinging bridge separates child and adult units, and a fire pole and rope swings provide kids with ground access. Luxury lovers will enjoy the Tree Room Schoolhouse Suite, which fits four and has a bathroom, kitchenette, master bedroom, sitting area and loft. Fun perks include lessons in treehouse building, horseback riding, rafting, ropes courses, pools and arts and crafts classes.

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort (Utah)

If the sight of snow gets your family excited, grab the skis and head to Snowbird for a wonderful, wintry vacation. The resort, which rests in Little Cottonwood Canyon, offers 3,240 vertical feet and 2,500 acres of mountain to explore. Thanks to its proximity to the Great Salt Lake, it sees an average of more than 500 inches of snow annually.

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort

More than forty years after being founded, the resort now features 10 lifts, 169 runs and an uphill capacity of 17,400 people. Beginners ages 3 and up can learn skiing and snowboarding at the Snowbird Mountain School. Love the outdoors but not a fan of the slopes? The resort also offers ice skating, snow tubing, snowshoe tours and luge sleds. Parents can unwind with a stone massage or herbal wrap at the luxurious Cliff Spa.

Omni La Costa Resort and Spa (California)

Most commonly associated with its two championship golf courses and its world-class spa, the Omni La Costa now earns itself a new reputation: family resort. Tucked among the property's rolling greens, renowned golf school and 17 tennis courts is a world of activities designed for little ones on retreat.

Omni La Costa Resort and Spa

At the Kidtopia children's club, young guests experience the resort's magnificent facilities in a kid-friendly environment, filling their time with tennis, croquet, hiking, swimming, nature walks, crafts and pingpong. While they're making friends and having fun, parents can indulge in the body- and soul-soothing luxury that defines the Omni La Costa.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Florida)

At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, families experience the thrills of an African safari without ever leaving their hotel. If a trip to the Serengeti is out of your price range, a visit to this wild lodge will more than suffice. Strolling throughout the property's 33 acres of savannas, guests will see more than 200 animals representing 100 different species, including antelopes and gazelles.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Rooms are decorated with a traditional African ambience: earth-tone walls, handcrafted furniture, tapestries and mosquito nets. But true historical value can be found in the 4,000 native handicrafts placed throughout the lodge. When it's time to dine, experience the tastes of Africa at one of the resort's inspired restaurants, including Jiko, which features wood-burning ovens, and Boma, a buffet under a thatched roof.

Trending

Trending

Trending

Trending

Top 8 Family Vacations in America

Related To:

Shop This Look

Hilton Waikoloa Village (Hawaii)

Hilton Waikoloa Village

Kingsmill Resort (Virginia)

Kingsmill Resort

Tanque Verde Ranch (Arizona)

Tanque Verde Ranch

Circus Circus (Las Vegas)

Circus Circus

Out 'n' About Treesort (Oregon)

Out 'n' About Treesort

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort (Utah)

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort

Omni La Costa Resort and Spa (California)

Omni La Costa Resort and Spa

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Florida)

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge