Family Summer Vacation Ideas

Things can get a little restless around the house during the summer months, but searching for family summer vacation ideas can prove pretty difficult if you are a parent of teenagers. When it comes to planning a vacation for everyone, how do you ensure that there will be plenty of entertainment for both your 6-year-old and your 16-year-old? No matter the age of your children or your budget, if you are looking for things to do this summer, there are many options out there to meet your family's needs. 
 

Costa Rica - With its rolling hills and clear blue waters, Costa Rica is quickly becoming one of the most popular international travel destinations. Older kids can enjoy zip lines, whitewater rafting, and hiking trails. Meanwhile, young children can lay with animals at the hummingbird garden or take an interactive tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. In addition, Costa Rica has numerous beautiful beaches where families can snorkel, surf, fish or simply relax in the sun. Paris - Consistently ranked as one of the top five most popular destinations in the world, Paris is a romantic destination for many adults. But the City of Love also has plenty of attractions to entertain kids and teens. The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe will awe everyone and make fantastic places for a family photo. Paris also boasts 153 museums filled with many of the world's most valued pieces of art and artifacts. If your kids want to see live shows, visit their favorite Disney characters, and enjoy theme park rides, check out Paris Disneyland for a day trip the entire family will appreciate. While the younger children explore the Cité des Enfants interactive adventure playground, teens may wish to explore the city's famous historic sites, shop at the French department store Galeries Lafayette or stop by the renowned Louvre art museum and the Musée d'Orsay.

Florida Keys - The Florida Keys offer a wide variety of summer vacation activities that the whole family can enjoy. Young children can swim with dolphins, take a fun and educational tour of the Eco Discovery Center or learn about hundreds of animal species by visiting the Key West Aquarium and the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. If you are looking for fun things to do with teenagers, you can learn to drive and snorkel, explore an assortment of local shops, take a guided kayak tour, or just hang out at one of the countless beaches and resorts. Yellowstone National Park - As America's first national park, Yellowstone is home to one of the most diverse arrays of wildlife in the world. Yellowstone offers biking, boating, hiking and horseback riding. Families can also engage with the environment through fishing, camping and wildlife viewing. Children ages four and up can earn their Junior Ranger badge by completing a list of engaging park activities. Of course, if you're visiting during the summer months, you can't leave Yellowstone without watching the eruption of Old Faithful, one of the park's most notable and popular attractions.

Kennywood - Long to experience the fun of high-speed rides and cool, refreshing water right at home in Pittsburgh? Kennywood has all the summer vacation activities you and your family crave, without the hassle or cost of many other options. The park has plenty of fun things to do with teenagers. Thrill-seeking teens can head straight for the Phantom's Revenge, Thunderbolt or Black Widow while parents take younger children over to Kiddieland. When everyone is tired out, relax and grab a bite to eat at one of the park's many eateries that offer everything from classic corndogs and the iconic Potato Patch fries to sit-down dining. Ohiopyle State Park - Located outside Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands, Ohiopyle draws more than a quarter million guests each year. Because of its growing popularity, the park recently opened a new visitor's center that offers stunning views of the Youghiogeny River. Active teens and their families can enjoy biking, hiking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, fishing and much more. The park even boasts a Zipline Adventure Park, which includes an obstacle course through the trees and a 200-foot zipline. People of all ages can experience the fun and beauty of the great outdoors at one of Pennsylvania's largest state parks.