There is no better family reunion than one that allows you to explore great destinations and try new adventures together. Are you planning a reunion for the entire family? Here are some of the best family reunion destinations in the United States.
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Best Places for Family Reunions in the United States
1. Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a great place for visitors looking for a laid-back family trip. This resort has a stunning beach where families can enjoy quality time, a spa for massage treatments, tennis facilities, and five golf courses for those who love sports.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort also offers outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and kayaking throughout the summer. If you are traveling with kids, there is a babysitting service to keep them busy while you’re crab hunting or swimming.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country and a great spot for families who love nature. This national park covers 800 square miles and boasts over 100,000 species of plants and animals.
Families will love hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, and even whitewater rafting. Kids can sign up for the Ranger Program to keep them busy with activities like scavenger hunts and wildlife viewing.
Both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are adjacent to the National Park and offer plenty of vacation rentals for families.
3. Mohonk Mountain House, New York
With 265 rooms, 100 fireplaces, great outdoors, and outstanding services, Mohonk Mountain House is the perfect place for a great family reunion. Guests here can enjoy kayaking, swimming, and canoeing in the summer. In winter, there are opportunities for cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and ice skating.
There is also a seasonal Kids’ Club that organizes frog hunts and other fun games for children between ages 2-12. Mohonk Mountain House also offers workshops ranging from photography to yoga and cooking. All ages will love a vacation here!
4. Lake Tahoe, California & Nevada
Lake Tahoe is a popular family reunion vacation because of the variety of outdoor activities available year-round. In winter, family members can enjoy activities such as country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding at one of the 12 ski resorts in the area.
In summer, you can visit one of the eleven state parks, have fun at the beaches, or camp at one of the local campgrounds. Lake Tahoe also has many resorts and cabins for overnight stays. If this sounds like what you’re looking for in a family reunion, book it! We promise you won’t regret it!
5. Westgate River Ranch Resort, Florida
This dude ranch in Florida is a good place for those looking for fun family reunions. Situated an hour south of Orlando, Westgate River Ranch Resort features 1,700 acres of the lush, unspoiled landscape of Florida.
Guests here can enjoy horseback riding, glamping, golfing, fishing, pony rides, Saturday Night Rodeo, and Airboat rides. There is also a petting zoo with horses, pigs, and goats and an entertainment area with archery, mini golf, and rock climbing facilities. This is one of the more unique family reunion destinations out there!
6. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
One of the best national parks for a family reunion is Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. We think this park should be on everyone’s bucket list! There are so many things to do here: hike on the trails, take in the stunning views from the Grand Canyon SkyWalk, or raft on the Colorado River.
You can hike the Grand Canyon on foot, mountain bike, or a mule. However you choose to walk, we promise you will never forget exploring the trails. After a long day of hiking, you and your loved ones can pitch a tent or relax at a nearby lodge.
7. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is a perfect destination for both young ones and adults. This massive natural sanctuary offers excellent views of mountains, canyons, forests, and animals. Visitors here can take their time to explore the national park for sights like the Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and Larimar Valley.
Families can also enjoy fun activities like hiking, swimming in the hot springs, and fishing in the lakes. There is also an opportunity to view wildlife including wolves, elks, and bears.
8. Scottsdale, Arizona
One of the best places to visit with the whole family is Scottsdale, where you will find the Musical Instrument Museum and Desert Botanical Garden. Families will love exploring Old Town Scottsdale, hiking at Papago Park, or riding the train at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.
Scottsdale is also known for its fabulous restaurants and shopping. And of course, there are some amazing family-friendly Scottsdale resorts that would be perfect for your reunion!
9. Walt Disney World, Florida
Traveling with a large group that spans all ages? Theme park vacations are the perfect option!
Disney World in Florida will always be one of the best destinations for a family reunion. This amusement park is one of the best theme parks in the country with four amusement parks, two water parks, 20 themed hotels, and a lot of Disney magic that will excite children and adults.
Aside from the water and theme parks, Disney World offers events and activities to keep everyone busy and there’s even the Disney Cruise line that departs from Port Canaveral.
10. YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado
YMCA of the Rockies offers budget-friendly accommodation for large groups and fun activities for the entire family. One of the best things about this resort is its close proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park.
You can take an excursion to the national park to take in the stunning views of the natural beauty, enjoy wildlife viewing, and go hiking. This resort also offers opportunities for swimming, catch-and-release fishing, skating, and golf.
YMCA of the Rockies boasts modern amenities like an indoor pool, hot tubs, fireplaces, a conference center, meeting rooms, a balcony, satellite TV, and an onsite restaurant. Everything you need for a successful family reunion is in one place! And it’s one of our favorite Colorado mountain towns for a family reunion!
11. San Diego, California
As someone who had the pleasure of calling San Diego home for seven years, I can confidently say that it is the perfect destination for a memorable family reunion. San Diego offers a unique mixture of attractions and activities that cater to all ages, ensuring that all ages can find something enjoyable.
If there are little ones in your group, the San Diego Zoo and Children’s Museum are sure to provide hours of entertainment. Balboa Park is right next door and its numerous museums and beautiful gardens will entertain the whole family for hours.
For families wanting time on the beach, there are many good options to choose from. Our favorite family beaches in San Diego are Coronado Beach and La Jolla Shores. Both provide endless opportunities for building sandcastles, playing beach games, or simply relaxing under the warm California sun.
The USS Midway Museum is great for all generations to connect and learn about our country’s naval history. And of course, there’s SeaWorld San Diego, where everyone can interact with marine life and try some thrilling rides.
With its mild climate, stunning scenery, and abundance of family-friendly attractions, San Diego is an awesome destination for a family reunion that will create cherished memories for years to come.
12. Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri
Big Cedar Lodge is one of the best family reunion resorts in the United States. This 4,600-acre resort boasts a lazy river, an 18-hole golf course, kid-friendly pools, and water sports.
Big Cedar also has a game house called Fun Mountain, where you will find an arcade, rope courses, and go-karts. Families will enjoy horseback riding, bowling, boating, hiking, and wildlife tram tours. This is an excellent place for a Midwest family reunion if you want something for everyone.
13. Oahu, Hawaii
This Hawaiian island boasts breathtaking views, beautiful beaches, and great family-friendly attractions. You can enjoy great island foods, take a road trip, hike the Diamond Head Monument, snorkel at Hanauma Bay, and relax at one of the pristine beaches. Kids will enjoy exploring the wildlife at the Waikiki Aquarium, the Honolulu Zoo, and the Sea Life Park.
Other highlights in Oahu include the North Shore, where you can surf; Kualoa Ranch, where you can take a movie tour (Jurassic Park was filmed here) and Dole Plantation, where you have some delicious Dole Whips.
If the adults can break away for an evening out, there are some fun things to do in Oahu for couples.
14. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Looking for the best family reunion spot in South Carolina? We recommend Hilton Head Island, where you find stunning beaches, world-class golf courses, and great historical sites.
You and your loved ones can enjoy water activities and tourist attraction sites like the Mitchelville Freedom Park, Harbor Town Lighthouse, and Coastal Discovery Museum. Hilton Head Island also offers many modern hotel rooms and delicious restaurants to enjoy.
15. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is home to two significant wonders in the world, the Half Dome and the El Capitan. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers opportunities for a great family reunion thanks to the trails, the camping cabins, the waterfalls, and the stunning natural beauty.
16. Myrtle Beach, South California
Myrtle Beach is perfect for family gatherings and offers plenty of opportunities for water sports. Adults will enjoy the boardwalk and its live entertainment. Little ones will love the Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the Boardwalk Grand Prix.
Myrtle Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the USA, and it gets booked fairly quickly, especially in the summer months. It’s best to book your accommodation months before your trip or plan to visit in the shoulder season.
17. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming
A list of best places for a family trip isn’t complete without Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This beautiful destination is one of the best U.S. resorts for people who love nature. You can hit the slopes, hike the trails, and stay warm by the fire in winter.
18. Hot Springs, Arkansas
Arkansas is a great travel destination for families, and one of the major standouts in this state is the Hot Springs National Park. This urban park features a row of bathhouses that sit on top of a natural hot spring.
Beyond the springs, the city offers many attractions and outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and swimming. Swim at Lake Catherine, walk along the Grand Promenade, and hit the nearby museums while you are here.
19. Colorado Springs, Colorado
There are plenty of things to do with your family in Colorado Springs. You can enjoy indoor and outdoor adventures like wildlife sightings, rafting, hiking, and bowling. Families can also explore fun attractions like Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, May Natural History Museum, and Fountain Creek Nature Centers. The Broadmoor is a fabulous resort that offers cottages if your family wants to stay under the same roof.
Colorado Springs offers an abundance of activities for multigenerational families seeking outdoor adventures. The iconic Garden of the Gods is a must-visit and offers trails for all skill levels. Additionally, the nearby Pikes Peak region provides an array of scenic trails such as Barr Trail, which showcases cascading waterfalls, alpine meadows, and extraordinary vistas. Family members who choose not to hike can take a ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway for some epic views.
A visit to Colorado Springs ensures unforgettable outdoor experiences for all ages.
20. Outer Banks, North Carolina
One of the best destinations for a family reunion is the Outer Banks which is located off the coast of North Carolina. The Outer Banks offer kid-friendly activities, water parks, golfing, parasailing, and surfing. Guests can also explore historic sites like Kitty Hawk, the Lost Colony of Roanoke, and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Vacation rentals are a good option for family reunions and the perfect place to relax after a day full of outdoor adventures.
Traveling together is a great way to spark a bond within the family and create new memories. These destinations for a family reunion will help you have a lot of fun and make your trip a memorable one!