Take Your Family Vacation from Tourist Trap to Triumph
Planning a memorable family vacation is harder than it looks. Try these 45 unique experiences when you plan your next family vacation.
You hit all the popular spots, see the popular sights, and before you know it, the trip feels like an endless string of money-grubbing gift shops.
Like home decorating, vacations can be too matchy-matchy.
You don’t want the one-size-fits-all, bed-in-a-box version.
A little outside-the-box thinking will turn your tourist trap trek into an epic journey.
With these 45 jumping-off points, you’ll design a trip that meets your family’s needs, fuels their interests, and expands their horizons.
(Note: This list is USA-centric because that’s where I live. I would love to hear how you apply the ideas in different countries; leave a comment.)
What are some unique family vacation experiences?
45 Ways to find unique experiences for your next family vacation
1. Art Museums
Art museums make an effort to attract families and engage children – their future depends on it. You will find family days at most museums.
Ages ago, the Portland Art Museum hosted a western art exhibit (Remington, Russel, etc.). We attended a family day complete with stagecoach rides, western art projects, and a master lasso demonstration.
Check out the art museums’ website and look for family free days, special family tours, and hands-on art experiences.
2. Blogs for Info Junkies
Tap into the grass-roots superhighway of information. Travel and family bloggers are pumping out personal travel experiences and tips on every location you can imagine.
Use ninja search terms to find exactly what you want.
Try {seattle AND family vacation} or {seattle family+vacation blog posts}. Adding “blog posts” to the search parameter pulls up the personal experience style web pages you’re aiming for.
3. Bookstores
Locally owned bookshops offer far more than books.
Ask about children’s events, author visits and craft nights.
While you’re there, take a look at the magazine rack and travel section for niche travel publications targeted to the area.
Bookstores often have cafes and free wifi, making them an excellent rainy day or time-out activity.
4. Chamber of Commerce
The chamber is responsible for promoting local businesses.
They sponsor holiday and historic home tours, street fairs, farmers’ markets, and festivals.
Search {Chamber of Commerce+town visiting} and see if they have anything special on the calendar.
5. Children’s Museums
Large cities have impressive, flashy children’s museums, and they are fun to visit.
But, we prefer the small-town type, with volunteer staff and home-grown exhibits. Kids tend to be in awe of the polished and perfect; the well-loved museum invites real play.
Another advantage of small museums is that you can keep an eye on your kids from one perch. Once they are old enough to entertain themselves, you can use this time to relax, go over trip details, and have a coherent conversation with your traveling partner.
Association of Children’s Museums
6. College Campuses
College campuses are a destination. Grab the public tour – these aren’t just for prospective students.
You may see the architecture, art exhibits, science research, technology, history, and test gardens – sometimes animals.
Colleges also host a plethora of theater events, music performances, dance, and sports. Check out the arts offerings carefully; some are too tawdry for families.
But, the thing your children will probably love the most on a college campus? The cafeteria!
The dream of owning a meal-card fueled my son’s ambition to go to college!
Search {college+tour}
7. Community Dances
Square dance, contra, swing…every community has a dance club. Many love having children join in; just ask.
Try Where’s the Dance? Directory to get started.
8. Ethnic Grocery Stores
Ethnic grocery stores combine a fun field trip with a necessary errand – finding food to eat.
Try new foods, learn something about the local cultural communities, and bring home fun souvenirs.
The best way to find ethnic grocery stores is to use the Google Map ‘near here’ feature. Click on ‘grocery’ and scroll through the list to see what’s nearby.
9. Factory Tours
Pendleton Woolen Mills, Boeing, and Microsoft are some notable examples in my area. These companies provide a glimpse into the area’s economy, expose children to a variety of careers, and can be plain fascinating.
Check out the Watch it Made in the USA website or the companion book:
Also, search {factory tours+town visiting}.
Be aware that many factories require reservations. And a few, like Boeing, have minimum age requirements.
10. Fairs and Festivals
In addition to the country fair variety – which may or may not be your thing – look for Renaissance Fairs, Medieval Fairs, Arts Fairs, Music Festivals, and Ethnic Celebrations.
Our community hosts an Oregon Trail Days festival every summer. Visitors can watch black powder shooting, living history demonstrations and try their hand at pioneering skills.
11. Family Fun Runs
Themed runs abound – ha!
Some follow a scenic trail, are attached to a festival day, or support a local cause. Here is a race directory.
Also, search {fun run+town visiting}
Meet friendly people, get a t-shirt as a souvenir, and have a memorable experience.
FYI – You don’t need to be in super shape for a fun run. Just verify that they allow walkers, strollers, dogs on leashes – whatever you need.
12. Farmers Markets
From major city markets to pop-up neighborhood markets, this is a must-do on our travel list. Farmer’s markets offer live music, street performers, ethnic food, and people watching.
Here’s the National Farmers Market directory.
In Hawaii, we stumbled on a weeknight produce market geared to locals. We bought one of each unfamiliar fruit, asking the farmer’s how to prepare it – we tested something different every day of our stay.
13. Forest Service/State Parks
The UFS and State Park Dept’s have local ranger stations. Woodsy Owl and Smokey Bear have to sleep somewhere!
Stop by and take a look at the books, pamphlets, and nature ID guides. The Rangers will be full of helpful, up-to-date advice for your family situation.
Depending on the location, these departments manage historic sites, battlefields, lighthouses, interpretive centers, and rent a variety of facilities.
If you’ve always wanted to sleep in a forest fire tower, this is where you look.
14. Game Stores
Board games are very hip. Game stores are popping up all over, and the best way to sell games is to show people how fun they are.
Many game stores host regular meet-ups where you can test out a variety of games. This is a cheap, fun evening activity.
Search {game night+town visiting}
Pick a game you love, and you have a souvenir that will do something besides gather dust.
Hometown Tourist: Visit a New Store
15. Gardens and Arboretums
Most children are not thrilled about a garden tour – unless you put a spin on it.
To begin, take a picnic if that’s appropriate. You need to eat anyway; combine it with a little eye candy.
Check on special areas or activities for children. The Seattle Arboretum offers a variety of family activities and events.
Or, have the children keep a nature notebook.
On a girl’s weekend with my family, the adults wanted to tour a garden. We had eight children between us. When we arrived, the docents were NOT happy to see us.
But back at the beach house, we had quickly stapled construction paper into “books.” In the garden, the children set out to find as many plants/flowers as they could that matched the pages’ colors. As soon as our kids started their color hunt, the museum staff ignored the adults in our group and spent the next hour taking our kids around hunting for colors. They even found naturally black grass.
We got invited back.
16. Geocaching
With smartphones, getting into geocaching is easy. Check out Geocaching.com.
The added element of a treasure hunt, clues, and cryptic puzzles will make everyone more enthusiastic about a hike.
Geocache hiding places are chosen because there’s something special about the location. We continue to find hidden spots in our town.
Hometown Tourist: Geocaching
17. Government Buildings
State capitol buildings make good field trips.
Take the public tour. Some families make it a hobby to visit all 50 state capitol buildings.
Capitol grounds offer incredible photo backdrops – get that Christmas photo.
18. Highest Spot in Town
Kids love superlatives.
You have introduced them to the Guinness Book of World Records, right?
Search {highest spot in town visiting} then go check it out.
Or take a look at this Geology.com map.
19. Historic Markers
When kids start studying US History (insert your country), they take an interest in historical markers.
Just don’t overdo it.
Pick the places they’ve read about or studied and fold quick stops into the day.
And yes, there’s a database for this too.
20. Libraries
Libraries are well-lit, have clean restrooms, and Internet access. You will find today’s local newspapers, current magazines, and a community bulletin board.
The big secret, however, is library programs.
We have attended a falconry talk, jazz syncopation workshop, a Willa Cather musical night, Laura Ingalls birthday party, and a riveting demonstration of the layers of women’s dress in the 1860s (seriously, it was fabulous).
All of this for free.
21. Living History
We love living history museums.
Here’s the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums.
Look for demonstrations, reenactments, and hands-on experiences.
A few favorites in Washington state are Pioneer Park, Camlann Medieval Village, and Fort Vancouver.
22. Magazine Articles
Travel and lifestyle magazines run columns like “Weekend in…” or “Best places to see in…”.
You can access these articles at your local library. Ask the librarian to help you if you don’t know-how.
Because magazines are always trying to find a unique spin on an old topic, they dig deep into what a community offers.
Northwest Travel and Sunset are two examples in the Pacific Northwest.
23. Music and Movies in the Park
Outdoor movies and music events are ideal for families.
The tolerance for noise and distraction is higher, you can eat through the entire performance, and blankets are encouraged.
These are usually hosted by the local Chamber of Parks Dept.
One year we scored on a showing of “Sound of Music.” Of course, we’d watched this many, many times – but never with 100’s of people singing along and booing at the bad guys!
24. Nature Preserves
Tucked away in the little town of Belfair, WA is one of my favorite places on earth – Theler Wetlands. We found it by accident when we made a pit stop at the visitor’s center. There was a little sign that said, “Nature Trail.” We decided to stretch our legs. The experience was like going through the wardrobe into Narnia.
To find your little slice of heaven, start with the state you’re visiting Fish and Wildlife Dept.
Check to see if there is an interpretive center. Naturalist talks will also add to your experience, so take a look at the events calendar.
25. Newspapers
Browse the community calendar, arts insert, travel, lifestyle, and human interest sections to determine what’s happening.
And while you’re at the library (see above), look for free parenting publications – like PDX Parent, Puget Sound Parent, Seattle’s Parent Map.
Every major city produces a similar paper, and they are packed with local events that don’t make it into the major papers.
26. One Thing to Eat
Ask locals what one food you should try – what is the quintessential food or hole-in-the-wall their town is known for?
This question will yield better answers than asking which restaurant you should eat because it removes the pressure to pick the fanciest place.
27. Outdoor Art, Murals, and Architecture (hunt)
Ask for guide lists at the visitor’s center. These are designed to give you a tour of the best the downtown area has to offer – you will stumble across many gems by touring on foot.
Searching for art will give a walk around town a purpose, which is fun for kids.
Play I-spy. Make up a photo scavenger hunt. Create a fun-spirited contest to see who can spot the highest number of red doors – or whatever is iconic to the area.
28. Outdoor Groups
Begin with your special interest – biking, running, hiking, climbing, kayaking… Search for local groups and see what they have going.
Or, try something new.
Beginners can give orienteering, stand-up paddleboarding, kayak tours, or beginning mountaineering a trial run.
Be sure the activity is suitable for the ages and physical ability of your family.
29. Parks (neighborhood)
Find the park the locals play at. Many towns have pocket parks that don’t make it into guidebooks.
Ask around for suggestions.
30. Parks and Recreation Dept.
Parks and Rec Departments run fishing derby’s, ethnic festivals, music, and movies in the park, seasonal events, and one-day classes.
Search {town + parks and recreation}
Flip through the seasonal events guide (it will be available on their website) to see what’s on offer.
31. People
Look for opportunities to talk to locals and ask them what they love about where they live.
Engaging with people will yield surprising results – from advice on lunch stops to hidden treasures; you never know where a conversation will lead.
32. Public Transportation
Is there a unique form of transportation – something different from where you live?
Monorails, light rails, the subway, trollies, sky trams, or trains are a treat when you don’t have to ride them every day.
Riding a city bus is not my idea of a good time, but if you (or your children) have never done it, consider the experience adding to your street-smarts.
33. Quirky Museums
The Spark Museum in Bellingham, WA, Denver Firefighters Museum, and Don Aslett’s Museum of Clean in Idaho are a few examples.
These museums usually have nominal entrance fees. You can pop in, stay as long as it’s interesting, and pop out.
Look for museums that feed a special interest. I didn’t know there were so many firefighter museums until I had a 5-year-old boy.
Or, expand your horizons and check out a museum with a new-to-you topic.
Check out Museum USA and The American Alliance of Museums
34. Radio Stations
Local stations – look for the ones that provide school closure info – keep community calendars.
Here’s an internet trick to narrow down the list: Try {radio station+town+school closures}.
Radio community calendars are chock-full of the special events small civic organizations, churches, and schools host. You will stumble on all kinds of backdoor experiences.
35. Science Museums
Polished, metropolitan science museums are worth the trip. But look for small, niche museums too.
The Spark Museum in Bellingham, WA is an example.
One of our favorite marine science centers featured diorama, displays, and artwork done by children. Many of the interpretive signs were hand-lettered. The docents were all residents with infinite patience and a love for the area’s sea life.
That’s the kind of place you’re looking for.
Begin at the Association of Science – Technology Centers.
36. Special Interests
Make a list of everything your family is currently interested in.
Magic tricks, Native American culture, marine life, fashion, model trains, knitting, boats, etc.
Search for hobby groups, specialty stores, and exhibits. Try combining two terms in search {interest+town} and see what comes up.
37. Sports Facilities
Watch or participate.
Lacrosse is growing in popularity in the Pacific Northwest. Most west coasters did not grow up with lacrosse as an option.
We happened on a match (is it called a meet?) in a college town and stopped to watch for awhile – brutal game!
Have you been to a hockey game, baseball game, or a curling event?
Find a local, community, high school, or college event and attend. You won’t have to throw down a wad of cash, and you can leave if the novelty wears off. Plus, locals will be more willing to explain things to you than your seatmates at an intense professional game.
If you’re looking for action, check out places to play – driving ranges, batting cages, trampoline facilities, surfing lessons can all add energy to your vacation.
38. Stores
Our local, privately-owned grocery store runs a cooking school. They have seasonal, local flavor, and kids’ classes year-round.
Sporting goods stores, like REI, run climbing clinics. Knitting shops, craft stores, hardware stores, photography shops, and toy stores may offer unique events.
Think about your interests and look for related businesses.
Hometown Tourist: Visit a New Store
39. Theater
Theater season line-ups are released months ahead of time. Check out the options as soon as possible.
You may be able to score tickets at the last minute, but if a major production, like The Nutcracker, is on your list, get tickets early.
Another option is a dress rehearsal.
Dress rehearsals are perfect for families. They’re an excellent way to try a new art form – opera, ballet, interpretive dance, Broadway musicals…
Some dress rehearsals include theater tours, narration by the director, and Q and A sessions with the cast. Instead of investing $100/person for a four-hour opera, dress rehearsals cost as little as $10, and you can sneak out when the family gets antsy.
Search {theater directory+state visiting} to get started.
40. Visitor’s Center
The first stop in any town we visit is the tourist/visitors center.
They provide colorful brochures and travel magazines. Along with needed information, these are perfect for making scavenger hunts.
Also, look for discount coupons, special sightseeing passes, or museum combo packs.
Ask about flora and fauna native to the area. We wanted to walk through a bird sanctuary in British Columbia. Bird sanctuaries are not high on my kid’s list of fun activities. The visitors center had a photo chart of the birds in the area. This made all the difference.
(It also helped that our next stop was a water adventure park!)
Here is a helpful directory.
41. Volkswalking
Volkswalking is available worldwide.
Volkswalks are typically 3 miles. They are designed to weave you through interesting parts of town, past vistas, museums, and parks.
There are year-round walks (unscheduled) and events.
You show up at the checkpoint. Often this is a file cabinet in the corner of a grocery store (details will be provided in the description of the walk). You will sign in and receive a map.
If you enjoy Volkswalking, there is more to learn. Check out American Volkssport Association.
People make it a life mission to complete walks based on themes (every county, state, flower walks, mountains, water features, etc.)
42. Volunteer
Volunteering opens up new possibilities. You become part of the event instead of being spectators. And you will meet interesting people.
We combined volunteer work with a camping trip at a Kayak Symposium. My husband and I worked a few shifts in exchange for our entrance fee to the symposium. Even though we had small children, we could make this work because my Grandma came along and helped with the kids.
Once children are older the options for volunteer work multiply.
For example, marathons and similar sports events use an army of volunteers to work the support stations – handing out water and fruit, directing traffic, etc.
This is an advanced travel tip and will take some digging and resourcefulness on your part. But, the payoff can be phenomenal.
43. Walking Tours
A guided walking tour can be one of the best travel investments.
It’s a quick way to get the lay of the land, prioritize your sightseeing, and get tips from the guide and fellow travelers.
An experienced guide will entertain with local lore. Inanimate objects you would have ignored suddenly have significance.
If we are dealing with a time change, our order of business is – get off the plane, find some food, drop off our luggage and go on a walking tour – in that order. It’s the best way to stay awake without needing to think too hard.
44. Waterfront
If the place you’re visiting is on a major waterway – river, lake, ocean, bay – there will be interesting things happening there.
Walk the public boardwalk, and watch the industry happening around you.
If you are lucky, there will be a tugboat festival, kayak basketball tournament, or boat race to enjoy.
45. Wildlife Sanctuaries
Audobon sanctuaries are dotted around the country.
You will find birding walks, trips, classes, camps, and trails.
Some sanctuaries specialize in wildlife care – and welcome visitors.
You will want to consider your child’s age and maturity. Two-year-olds probably won’t be welcome on a quiet bird watching trip.
Leaving the Interstate
Now you have 45 off-ramps for planning your family’s perfect vacation.
Try making a family travel bucket list to inspire your adventures – here’s our bucket list.
Happy Journeys.
Interested in a Staycation? See our Plan Your Perfect Staycation guide.
And follow along with our Hometown Tourist Challenge for even more ideas.
Leave a comment and share a unique and memorable family vacation experience.
