Your favorite family vacations?

[ThankYouJack]

I'm planning our next family vacation(s) and have a couple things in mind but also looking for ideas. What have been your favorite family vacations and what made it so special / memorable?

[jebmke]

I"ve been retired since 2007 so I have to reach back before that. One of our favorites was three weeks staying in a small village in Burgundy. We were able to do things at a slow pace and meet a lot of locals.

Growing up, I recall summers in a cottage in the Finger Lakes. My grandparents had a cottage there and we rented one for a couple of months. My grandfather taught me how to water ski and taught my younger sister how to curse. I doubt I could ski today but I know for a fact that my sister can still curse with the best of them.

My most permanent memories are the times spent with parents and grandparents; less so what we did exactly.

[mhc]

We rented an ocean front house with pool in Hawaii. We would go out for half a day or so and come back and swim in the afternoons. The house had a jigsaw puzzle. We did that at night. Once we finished the puzzle, we bought more. It was so nice spending time together as a family and just relaxing. There was plenty of room in the house and bathrooms. People could eat when they wanted. Get up when they wanted. Really nice. We did not watch any TV or phones the whole time.

We have also done some long road trips. My DW and I really like those too. I'm not too sure about the kids. When the kids were smaller, there favorite trips were when they could just be kids. National Parks and nature was good for that. They could run around, play in the water, throw rocks, .... They did not always enjoy the longer hikes, and they could care less about the scenery.

[henry]

I'm planning our next family vacation(s) and have a couple things in mind but also looking for ideas. What have been your favorite family vacations and what made it so special / memorable?

I have taken a few cruises with extended family. Destinations/ports actually didn't really matter to me, it was just nice to see everyone together. And also plenty of time to do your own thing if you want. We would all get together for a nice dinner every night in the ship's dining room and many of those dinners were memorable for me. I actually don't like travel much because of all the stress about planning and logistics and cruising takes a lot of that out of the equation. The kids were very young and going anywhere was fun for them. I can see how it might be boring for teens but teens always seem hard to satisfy. The middle aged folks and seniors all seemed to have fun.

[TallBoy29er]

A little different twist. Growing up, we went to a dude ranch, and I still remember having fun there. So much so, that we took our kids to one a couple of years ago, which we all really enjoyed. We made sure we found one that had activities that were also very much geared to kids, while the adults could go do activities (horseback riding, fly fishing, etc.) geared to them.
Lost Valley Ranch
Tumbling River Ranch

The beach has always been, and continues to be, a winner for us as well. A condo on the water, with a pool, and life can be good for weeks at a time.

I know many who have loved Disney Cruises. That is not my wife's and my gig, but I get it why it could be enticing.

[stan1]

I'm planning our next family vacation(s) and have a couple things in mind but also looking for ideas. What have been your favorite family vacations and what made it so special / memorable?

Maybe identify the ages of your kids? That could help people let you know whether Disney World or Madrid (nightlife) is a better fit. If your kids are in their 20s they might really enjoy Madrid but the 5 year old would probably prefer Mickey and Donald.

[runner3081]

We rented an ocean front house with pool in Hawaii. We would go out for half a day or so and come back and swim in the afternoons.

We have started doing something similar. When our child was younger, we always went to the beach and stayed at an Airbnb, within walking distance. Now, as she is older, playing on the beach doesn't have the appeal! We try to rent condos in larger complexes on the beach that provide beach access (sunrise/sunset viewing, walks, etc) in addition to amenities such as game rooms, pools, saunas, workout facilities, etc. That has really been the sweet spot for it.

Better yet, it is worth a small splurge to have a view of the beach or a busy street. HOURS AND HOURS of free entertainment and people watching!

Also, walking distance to bakeries or other places is a blast.

[cbs2002]

best family vacations have been houses directly on the water in less populated locations with lots of trees and no condos or other large buildings nearby. But what I call "best" others would call "boring". you do you, after all.

[doobiedoo]

Here are my major family vacations.

2022 Maui [Kapalua Ziplining, Luau, Warren &Annabelle magic, Black Rock & Kapalua Snorkeling]
2021 Kauai [Snorkeling, Koloa rum tour, Hamura Saimin]
2021 Pittsburgh [Funicular Monongahela, Pennant Park Music festival, Niagara Falls]
2019 Maui [Snorkeling at Black Rock, SlackKey show, Warren & Annabelle magic, Maui Brewing Co, Maui Coastal Trail, Luau]
2019 New York City [World Trade Center, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge walk, Central Park, Central Park Zoo, Museum of Natural History, Yankee baseball game, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Beautiful, My Fair Lady, Kiss Me Kate]
2018 Charleston, SC; [Total eclipse, Fort Sumter]
2018 England [Bath, Stonehenge, British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Harry Potter Walking Tour, Harry Potter & Cursed Child play, King & I, Warwick Castle, Stratford-on-the-Avon, Oxford]
2016 CA coast [Hearst Castle, Elephant seals, Solvang]
2015 Maui
2013 National Parks road trip [Moab, whitewater rafting on upper Colorado, Arches National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, White Sands, Roswell, Carlsbad Caverns, Arizona meteor site, Grand Canyon]
2012 Maui (Zippy's, Lahaina Pizza Co, Home Maid Bakery (manju), Tom's MiniMart shaved ice)
2011 EF Tours [Paris, Barcelona, Italy ]
2010 Orlando, FL [Discovery Cove, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, …]
2009 Kauai
2008 NYC [Empire State Bldg, Avenue Q, Boeing Boeing, Mary Poppins]
2007 Alaskan cruise on Royal Caribbean
2006 Kauai
2004 Maui in Sept, Scottsdale in Dec 18-25
2003 White water rafting in Merced River, CA
2002 Maui
2001 Orlando, FL [Disney, Discovery Cove [dolphin swim], Kennedy Space Center]
2000 Maui
1998 Yellowstone [Old Faithful, Grand Canyon, bison, elk], Grand Tetons, Salt Lake City
1995 Crater Lake
1993 Austria [Salzberg Sound of Music tour], Germany [Berlin, Munich]
1990 10 yr anniversary Maui, Oahu, Big Island [Kilauea eruption & helicopter ride]
1984 Mediterranean cruise [Athens, Haifa, Jerusalem, Cairo]
Florida Disney World, Epcot [after Europe], NASA Cape Kennedy, Shuttle launch
1983 Paris at Easter weekend [sleeper train, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Louvre]
London July [Wimbledon, Star Wars Return of the Jedi]
Munich [Oktoberfest, Deutsches museum, BMW factory tour]
1980 Honeymoon [Maui, Oahu, Big Island (Volcano Natl park)]

If I had to pick the 3 most memorable ones they would be:
1. Kilauea eruption & helicopter ride
2. Shuttle launch
3. Total eclipse

[wtjbatman]

Our family loves going down to the gulf coast, specifically the area of Bay St Louis Mississippi. We rent an Airbnb close to the beach. You get beach time (obviously), our airbnb this time will have a pool, and the amount of local restaurants, shops, and breweries is more than enough to keep us satisfied with local food and drink. And because its a less traditional destination, the cost seems more modest. We just love the culture and atmosphere.

We'll be going back this September. Can't wait!

[surfinagin]

Washington D.C.
When kids are age 12+, parents should consider taking them to D.C.
All kids should get that opportunity to tour the many govt. bldgs, see the museums, visit and appreciate the monuments (at night!), etc.
Visit Arlington Cemetery -Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Mint, Kennedy Center, National Cathedral, Mount Vernon, etc!
I spent a long time planning an activity-filled D.C. family vac 25yrs ago that was greatly enjoyed and appreciated by the whole family.

A visit to D.C. gives your kids an appreciation for their country and its history, and a great experience for all.

[halfnine]

I'm planning our next family vacation(s) and have a couple things in mind but also looking for ideas. What have been your favorite family vacations and what made it so special / memorable?

I have taken a few cruises with extended family. Destinations/ports actually didn't really matter to me, it was just nice to see everyone together. And also plenty of time to do your own thing if you want. We would all get together for a nice dinner every night in the ship's dining room and many of those dinners were memorable for me. I actually don't like travel much because of all the stress about planning and logistics and cruising takes a lot of that out of the equation. The kids were very young and going anywhere was fun for them. I can see how it might be boring for teens but teens always seem hard to satisfy. The middle aged folks and seniors all seemed to have fun.

I would agree with all this. Cruises are the last place that I, individually, would go for a holiday. However, when traveling with family and in partcular extended family they are great. If you like you family and want to spend stress free time with them eating, laughing and relaxing then cruises tick the box.

As to traveling with just my nuclear family with non-adult children my favourite trips are the ones where the kids plan the major details.

[UpperNwGuy]

A week at the beach.

[CloudNine33]

Italy. Rome has so many amazing things to see and my teens loved it all. Combined with a week of touring Tuscany hill towns, gelato every day, the food can't be beat for teens who love pizza and pasta and coming back to an amazing private villa on 50 acres every night.

Costa Rica. Private villa in the hills with an infinity pool and surrounded by wildlife, watching monkeys and toucans very close to us. Day trips to deserted beaches, horseback riding, ziplining, national park (Manuel Antonio) filled with more amazing wildlife. The people there were the nicest anywhere. Great place to take kids.

Hawaii. Boogie boarding perfect waves (couldn't get the kids out of the ocean), private villa with 60' wide infinity pool looking at the ocean, driving around in a jeep, amazing locals, poke lunches!

Newfoundland Canada. Iceberg and whale watching from an inflatable boat, hiking incredible coastal cliffs, early morning puffin watching, searching beaches for sea glass and finding hundreds of pieces. Trying to understand the local accent!

[cableguy]

Oh man....great subject....kicking up so many memories. So many trips....and so different as the family got older. A Hawaii trip booked through Costco was memorable. We all still talk about it. UNREAL room....right on the ocean. 3BR, LR, DR, all at a great price. We did some European Princess Cruises. Grand Canyon and Vegas. Theme parks and beaches in FLA. Theme parks and So Cal. Yosemite and Glacier. But yeah....Hawaii always seems to be one everyone talks about the most...

[gtrplayer]

Don’t sleep on the kitschy places. Gatlinburg, Wisconsin Dells, Branson… all have tons and tons of activities both kids and adults would like. Gatlinburg has the mountains with theme parks up in them, the Dells have a rugged landscape and water parks, Branson has the Ozarks and shows.

Yes, they are touristy to the extreme, but they’re also fun and cheaper than Disneyland or Disney World. It depends on what you want but I suspect few families are disappointed with them.

[Watty]

Tent camping in state and national parks.

With tent camping there are minimal electronics which are distractions and would still be an issue with an RV or cabin in the same area. You are also often in areas with no cell phone service.

We did both backpacking and car camping and they both have advantages.

It works best with kids who are not infants and out of diapers.

[Luke Duke]

A week at Glacier NP with my wife and kids.

[SubPar]

Kauai was amazing.

A couple of years ago, we rented a beach home on the Atlantic. Edisto Island, SC. Wonderful.

Most recently, we got a nice AirBNB near Smoky Mountain National Park. Gatlinburg was cool, but kind of hectic. Hiking was great, but slightly challenging with a small kid. Overall, a solid time was had.

When it's just DW and I, we usually head to an all-inclusive called Atelier in Playa Mujeres. We both work intense jobs and find it nice to just show up somewhere, get our eat/drink on, and relax without worrying about any logistics.

[BrooklynInvest]

Great question.

Our kid's four so nice resorts by the beach with a kid's club has been the norm for the last few years. During Covid we rented a house by the beach but with a little one we found it wasn't overly relaxing for us and the houses varied in kid-friendliness. Took a while to find what we wanted but the resort approach was quiet, kid-friendly and relaxing for all of us.

In the next few years our priorities are gonna hopefully evolve -

1. He'll be old enough to enjoy (not just endure) overseas touristy stuff. He did great visiting family in the UK.

2. Road trips in the US. I've done it by motorcycle a bunch of times but we're a couple of years from jumping in a jeep and doing it as a family.

[Chv396]

Long, leisurely drives over the summer months along Pacific Coast Highway in California. Travel to the Northeast to visit Martha’s Vineyard in the fall to see the foliage. Fishing trips in late April, in the high Sierras (Mammoth Lakes, specifically) in California.

Trips to England & Wales, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and France.

[22twain]

A couple of months ago I was driving through western NC. As I approached the Fontana Dam on route NC-28, I saw several billboards promoting the Fontana Village Resort as "the best place for your dam family vacation."

[stargazerlily03]

I love the Amish Country in Lancaster, Pa. Great family style food and other restaurants, uncrowded tourist spots such as Kitchen Kettle Village, Pretzel Factory, shopping outlets, Amish tours, hand crafted quilts and other items, buggy rides and just taking in an amazing lifestyle and beautiful scenery. Hershey Park is not too far.

[HIinvestor]

We did many lovely vacations at national & state parks, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, SW national parks, and Niagra Falls. We also loved visits to NYC, New Orleans, Washington DC, SF & LA. Japan, S Korea and Taiwan were great and Europe too. So much depends on interests of those involved.

[avalpert1]

I'm planning our next family vacation(s) and have a couple things in mind but also looking for ideas. What have been your favorite family vacations and what made it so special / memorable?

I personally have traveled to well over 100 countries, 48 US states, nearly all national parks, etc. I have taken my children (now 17 and 14) to a few dozen countries including months on safari in Africa, trekking in the Alps, ski touring in the Rockies, staying in tribal villages in the Amazon, living in 130 foot high treehouses in Laos, canoeing the Delaware River, tracking wolves and grizzlies in Yellowstone, etc.
The answer to your question of what makes my favorite ones special/memorable is undoubtedly having unplanned, amusing, adventurous, scary, challenging, moments with people I enjoy being with - and that can happen anywhere really.

So sure, if you give more information about what types of activities you enjoy, level of accommodations, food preferences, etc. I can give you many recommendations and ideas - but at the end of the day, whatever you do will be special and memorable.

[AlohaBill]

When we lived in Saudi Arabia, we would return to Honolulu for two months and the we flew to Ossipee Lake for two months.
I enjoyed our 1 to 2 week vacations on Lake Winnepausake in NH. We’d go waterskiing all day, go to Wolfeboro to watch movies and picking for ma to make blueberry pie.
My wife and I had a nice time driving down hwy 1 to the Hearst Castle. Another time we drove north on hwy 1 to Eureka.

[Random Musings]

I'm planning our next family vacation(s) and have a couple things in mind but also looking for ideas. What have been your favorite family vacations and what made it so special / memorable?

You know your family better than I. It's trying to figure out an itinerary that holds their interest in the aggregate. Sure, there may be certain locations or activities certain members of the family appreciate more, so I try to plan vacations with that in mind. Sometimes, favorite parts of vacations are the unexpected while at other times they are what you planned.

RM

[yogesh]

Hawaii
Caribbean
Mexico
Cruise
Italy
Switzerland
France
Thailand
Florida
LA/San Diego
Theme Parks
Alaska

[JeffAL]

The national parks in the western US have been our favorite trips. We do a week at the beach on the gulf coast every year also.

[market timer]

Skiing in Niseko, Japan was a big hit with my family.

[eric321]

Not destination related, but planning for space and comfort.

If flying, mid day flights to make it leisurely to the airport. Flying in a premium cabin is always nicer.

Staying in a hotel/timeshare/airbnb with space. Separate bathrooms, separate bedrooms gives everyone space and time to recharge.

Not over planning the trip. You want to leave room for spontenatity. You want flexibility if someone is hungry earlier.

Not under planning the trip. Let the kids have input and show them videos of what to expect. They can prepare and get excited for the trip, and provide feedback.

[SuperSaver]

First time visit to Disneyland and California Adventure.

We stayed on site (at the GC Hotel). Felt like being a kid again with my own kids. Coupled that with beach trip to Newport Beach. Went biking on the beach. Finished up with day at WB studios and Griffith Park

It was Magical. Except my first and likely last trip to LAX.
- I love movies, TV shows, and theme parks btw

[BradJ]

The national parks in the western US have been our favorite trips. We do a week at the beach on the gulf coast every year also.

Our family is going to Zion this year, really looking forward to seeing what many call the best park in USA.

The gulf coast is amazing. Yes it’s called redneck riviera for a reason, but the white powder shores offer what’s probably one of the best beaches in the world.

[JRodAK]

Our favorite family vacation (kids agree) was a guided 18 day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. Kids were 14 and 11 at the time. No cell service, camping under the stars, rapids, hikes, great food, fishing, epic views, solitude, and every day was an adventure.

[Sandi_k]

I grew up with a single mom, and she worked hard. One of our favorite memories was staying in a motor lodge/STR with a kitchen, a couple of blocks from the beach in Newport Beach or San Diego.

Lots of time at the beach, in the pool, nothing too fancy. Games and reading and puzzles at night.

As an adult, the most magical trips we've taken were Sedona at Christmas time (we rented a VRBO house with a view of the Red Rocks); we baked, played games, hiked, and toured local art galleries. Also treasured were a couple of stays in fantastic all-inclusive resorts in the British Virgin Islands, and Isla Mujeres, MX.

We also have rented a houseboat at various lakes through the years, and that has also been fun. We loved a week at Lake Powell the week after Labor Day - gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

The common denominator - unplugging. Getting away from phones, TVs, and the rest of the world. Bonuses: access to warm weather, swimming or snorkeling.

[Steelersfan]

Yellowstone/Grand Tetons, with a raft trip on the Snake River that was so good we went back again the next day.

As an adult I finally got to Zion on my own. It's spectacular too.

[HipCoyote]

1993 Austria [Salzberg Sound of Music tour], Germany [Berlin, Munich]

I was with you until this..my wife made me go. Around that time we watched the movie and then a buddy of mine made me come to his daughter's acting debut...in the local playhouse's version of....the Sound of Music.

Joking aside, it was fun.

One of our favorite vacations was to Yosemite during the winter. We did tour the park but also just locked ourselves in the cabin and played games. Daughter was barely able to read but we played pictionary. The clue was "beer belly": but she thought it was Bear Belly and drew a bear and its belly. To this day, we call it a Bear Belly. Oh how I wish we could relive those days.

Great list.

[doobiedoo]

1993 Austria [Salzberg Sound of Music tour], Germany [Berlin, Munich]

I was with you until this..my wife made me go. Around that time we watched the movie and then a buddy of mine made me come to his daughter's acting debut...in the local playhouse's version of....the Sound of Music.

Joking aside, it was fun.

One of our favorite vacations was to Yosemite during the winter. We did tour the park but also just locked ourselves in the cabin and played games. Daughter was barely able to read but we played pictionary. The clue was "beer belly": but she thought it was Bear Belly and drew a bear and its belly. To this day, we call it a Bear Belly. Oh how I wish we could relive those days.

Great list.

I've been to Yosemite in the winter. I agree, it's totally different from the summer.

[Wannaretireearly]

Med cruise, surprisingly we all loved it including the teenagers.
Loved the frequent and interesting stops. 7 days was enough.

[MathWizard]

Family:
National parks out west.

Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park in Canada.

My wife and I:

Italy. mainly Rome and Florence

France

California coastal redwoods in Muir State Park

[Tundrama]

I'm planning our next family vacation(s) and have a couple things in mind but also looking for ideas. What have been your favorite family vacations and what made it so special / memorable?

Kona snorkeling. Once in the morning and once in the evening. No sunblock necessary.

Naps during the day.

…is this heaven…no, it’s just Kona.

[Lookingforanswers]

My favorite family vacation tip if you have kids somewhere between 5 and 17 years old: Take a summer vacation at a winter ski resort.

In the summer, ski towns knock themselves out offering summer activities for families because they've got so many rooms to fill: hiking, downhill mountain biking, nature walks, river rafting, kayaking on lakes, etc. Lots of restaurants and entertainment choices, and you can rent a resort apartment at a fraction of the summer cost. Depending on the resort, you also have easy access for day trips to national parks. Also lots to see as you travel to and from these destinations.

We've also *always* found that with just a little research (even just a conversation with a local outdoors store) you can find day hikes that aren't overwhelmed with tourists. We've gone to parking lots filled with cars and when 99% of the visitors are headed off the trail to the west, there's nobody else taking the trail to the east.

We also like that when traveling with kids we can "settle in" to a single location for a week and don't have to shuffle the whole family around every day to do something fun.

We did this when our kids were younger in: Whistler, British Columbia; Breckenridge, Colorado; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Park City, Utah. We mixed these kinds of trips up with other trips to the beach or overseas, but I still have great memories of these summer "ski resort" vacations.

My kids are adults now but we're talking about doing this again now that we have a grandson.

[Jeepergeo]

We contracted with Reds Meadow Pack Station out of Devils Postpile for a week long pack trip. The outfitter provided horses, mules, a chef/wrangler, wrangler, and guide/wrangler for the three of us and another family of four. The scenery was amazing, the food excellent, and the guided fishing and sightseeing were amazing in the High Sierras, with most of the week spent between 7,000 and 10,000 ft elevation.

All we had to do was bring our personal gear. They had tents, but we brought our own. The trip was very relaxing and memorable. The nightly campfire was a lot of fun.

[skp]

My favorite family vacations were state park vacations. Roan mt state park tennesse, gulf shores state park Alabama, fort Robinson state park Alabama and ski vacations at smugglers notch state park.

[Taylor Larimore]

Bogleheads:

I live in Miami, "The Cruise Capital of the World." Our favorite family vacations have been taking convenient cruises. It is also nice to do whatever each of us wants during the cruise (there is much to do) and still be able to dine together.

Best wishes.
Taylor

Jack Bogle's Words of Wisdom: "The Three-Fund Portfolio will help you to develop a sound asset allocation strategy, make smart investment selections, and guide the implementation of your plan."

[snic]

A couple of years ago, we rented a beach home on the Atlantic. Edisto Island, SC. Wonderful.

Edisto was also a memorable vacation for us. There are a lot of houses to rent right on the beach, but the beach wasn't crowded at all. The kids (daughter and some friends she brought along) had fun playing the waves (although I got stung by a jellyfish ), the adults had fun drinking wine on the deck at sunset, we all enjoyed the cruise through the backwaters and marshes (porpoises!), and we had a big kitchen to bang around in and make stuff we like.

Renting a small house in the Tuscan countryside was another great vacation. It had a pool, which was a highlight for the kid, and we took a day trip each day to explore the other towns, which was a highlight for the adults. So relaxing, and such excellent food.

We've had many memorable vacations over the years, but generally the best ones were the ones with something we each enjoyed. When our daughter was younger, that was a beach and/or pool. As she got older and school/life got more stressful, it was simply down time to do whatever she wanted without a schedule - so we would have some days like that and others where we'd go explore the sites. So the great vacations are not so much about where, but about how.

[SubPar]

Edisto was also a memorable vacation for us. There are a lot of houses to rent right on the beach, but the beach wasn't crowded at all. The kids (daughter and some friends she brought along) had fun playing the waves (although I got stung by a jellyfish ), the adults had fun drinking wine on the deck at sunset, we all enjoyed the cruise through the backwaters and marshes (porpoises!), and we had a big kitchen to bang around in and make stuff we like.

It's something of a hidden gem. We're considering going back in the next year or two. Much better value proposition than some of the other Carolina islands (Kiawah, Hilton Head, etc.), less commotion than Myrtle Beach. Our home had en suites for each room, multiple decks for hanging out/lounging, and was literally ~20 feet off the beach. We had an absolutely lovely time. There's nothing like being lulled to sleep each night by the sound of the ocean.

[snic]

Edisto was also a memorable vacation for us. There are a lot of houses to rent right on the beach, but the beach wasn't crowded at all. The kids (daughter and some friends she brought along) had fun playing the waves (although I got stung by a jellyfish ), the adults had fun drinking wine on the deck at sunset, we all enjoyed the cruise through the backwaters and marshes (porpoises!), and we had a big kitchen to bang around in and make stuff we like.

It's something of a hidden gem. We're considering going back in the next year or two. Much better value proposition than some of the other Carolina islands (Kiawah, Hilton Head, etc.), less commotion than Myrtle Beach. Our home had en suites for each room, multiple decks for hanging out/lounging, and was literally ~20 feet off the beach. We had an absolutely lovely time. There's nothing like being lulled to sleep each night by the sound of the ocean.

I totally agree - although everyone else wanted to close all the windows and turn the a/c on .

My wife has mentioned Edisto as a place to retire to, but I'm not thrilled with the hurricane risk. I'd rather visit occasionally and rent a beach house.

[TLC1957]

Prince Edward Island (PEI) in Atlantic Canada. PEI is a beautiful place we have been visiting since 1985. We have been to all 50 states, most of Canada, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland, but still find time to get back to PEI we love it. Why….friendly locals, amazing seafood ie lobster, muscles, oysters, cod, not crowded even in the summer. Endless red sand beaches and cliffs, amazing folk music, green potato fields, bike and walking trails the entire length of the island, warm water via the Gulf Steam to swim in the ocean. Anne of Green Gables if you have kids. Best time to visit is June to September. You can get onto the island via a 8 mile long bridge, the world's longest bridge over ice-covered water. Or a 2 hour ferry from Nova Scotia. The largest city is Charlottetown about 50 k population with an island population of 170k. But get out and explore the countryside it’s amazing.

Since we retired in 2015 we typically spend a month on the island driving 2 days in each direction from Philadelphia. Our daughters have been going to the island since they were little. My oldest daughter was engaged on the island, yep a special family place. They still come and visit with the significant others and kids!

If you need more information let me know.

Tom

[Zipster]

50 responses and no one has mentioned the Galapagos?!?

If your kids are 5 or older, this is an amazing place.

I’ll also 2nd previous more mainstream places like Colonial Williamsburg and/or DC. Bureau of Printing and Engraving is where you go to see $$ printed, not “the Mint”!