In the U.S., there is an unlimited amount of family weekend getaway ideas, right across the 50 states. From wilderness trails to hikes up snow-capped mountains, to sandy, white beaches, you are spoilt for choice on where to take your family for the next weekend getaway.
Plus, with so many places to go, it can be difficult to plan a strict, 2/3-day excursion somewhere. Here’s a list of 6 family weekend getaway ideas to consider for your next long weekend!
Savannah, Georgia
A perfect sized city for a mini-cation, Savannah has plenty of offerings for family weekend breaks. Noteworthy for its quaintness, a visit to Savannah will feel like a trip back in time! Horse-drawn carts line trundle along the streets, ancient oak trees stand in the city’s parks, and impressive antebellum-styled buildings line its streets.
It’s a good place to spend a few days taking things slowly and stands as the antitheses to other, more lively, southern cities. It’s easy to get around all the city’s biggest attractions within a short period!
Forsyth Park is the best way to take in the settlement’s ancient natural offerings and is worth spending a few hours meandering through its oak-tree woodlands. The nearby Skidaway State Park is ideal for longer hikes, and the city’s pedestrianized market area is a great place to hang out.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
This mountain town is super accessible if you live on the eastern side of the country and offers plenty of fun activities for children of all ages. For this family weekend getaway, you could explore the Great Smoky Mountains one day – which offers great hiking trails and rafting facilities – and spend the rest of your getaway enjoying the sites and sounds of this small town.
Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood, a theme park partially owned by Tennessee’s own, Dolly Parton. Not only does Dollywood feature thrill-seeking rides, but it also acts as a cultural center for Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains, with musical performances and food offerings inspired by the region.
Pigeon Forge also boasts the Crave Mini Golf course, the Gold Rush Stables, the Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park, the Island Ropes Course, and the Top Jump Trampoline Park.
St. Joseph, Michigan
A mid-western must-visit, St Joseph’s sandy beaches are perfect for a few days of family frolic. Several beaches can be found within the vicinity of St. Joseph city, providing you with plenty of access points to Lake Michigan, where you’ll find endless water activity fun. The sand is soft and perfect for sandcastle building!
Conveniently, each beach is positioned close together, allowing you to change waterfront location easily throughout the day.
Plenty of attractive pieces of history line the waterfront, including two early 1900s lighthouses and a 1910 carrousel, each of which has been regularly restored. The small hamlet of Holland is home to the Nelis’ Dutch Village, an amusement park with live animals, traditional Dutch foods, and a clogs factory.
Northwest KOA Holidays, Chicago
There’s plenty of Kampgrounds located throughout America, and each is reviewed highly, but this one located in Chicago is one of the best for family-orientated play. Choose between a family log cabin, the camping site, or the RV pull-up site, and let the fun begin!
The biggest attractions to this site include the mini-golf, frisbee golf, Gagaball, Polipong, and hay-wagon ride facilities, but there is a whole lot more to be found throughout the campsite! The site runs candy hunts, ice cream socials, and movie nights, which is sure to keep your kids entertained for the duration of your stay!
With plenty of hiking trails, the Illinois Railway Museum, and Magic Waters within a close locality, Northwest KOA Holidays offers so much for all members of the family! Plus, the log cabin accommodations provide a quiet space for adults to relax at the end of an action-packed day, making KOA a worthwhile consideration for your next family weekend getaway!
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is quite extensive in terms of activities that you can do as a family, however, it is still a perfect site for a shorter weekend getaway. Pick a few activities throughout the sprawling desert and make your short vacation one that is both action-packed and unforgettable!
Joshua Tree is a great place to start, particularly if your kids have never seen the desert, with its limited stretches of wildflowers, rugged rocks, and desert sands. If you want to spectate the desert from a loftier height, book your family onto the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which rises 2.5 miles above Palm Springs. Once at the peak, you can admire the vistas, explore Mount San Jacinto, or dine at the Peak Restaurant.
Back down to earth, you can treat your family to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, the Cabazon Dinosaur Museum, or the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert. Alternatively, if things get too hot, you could always cool down at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.
Orlando, Florida – A Stress-free Family Weekend Getaway!
An obvious choice for family fun, however, it’s worth highlighting the benefits of making Orlando Florida your next family weekend getaway. You could easily fit a visit to Universal Studios or Walt Disney World within 2-3 days. This is enough time for your kids to enjoy all the rides, entertainment, and restaurants before things get a bit repetitive. Why waste your summer vacation entirely at Disney World? It makes a lot more sense to do it over a weekend.
Plus, choosing a random weekend to visit one of America’s most visited family destinations could be a very tactical choice. You could pick a particularly quiet weekend to avoid the summer or festive rush, enjoy shorter queues, and, generally, a more laid-back atmosphere.
Take away the stress of Disney World by making it your next weekend getaway!